‘Crude but viable’ explosive device deployed in attack on Lurgan police station
Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson (left) and District Commander Superintendent Brendan Green speak to the media outside the police station in Lurgan (Liam McBurney/PA)
A “crude but viable” explosive device was at the centre of an attack on a police station in Northern Ireland.
A delivery driver was forced at gunpoint to transport the device to Lurgan police station late on Monday in a likely dissident republican attack.
The incident has been condemned by political representatives across the spectrum, including First Minister Michelle O’Neill, deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Secretary of State Hilary Benn.
Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson described a “horrific and terrible ordeal” for the “terrified” delivery driver.
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Speaking to media at Lurgan police station on Tuesday afternoon, Mr Henderson said the driver had been making a delivery in Deramore Drive in the Kilwilkie area of Lurgan when he was hijacked by two masked men, one of whom was armed with a pistol.
“The man placed an object in the boot of his white Audi A4 car and the driver was ordered to drive it to Lurgan police station or he would be killed,” he said.
“The car was driven to the station, where the driver escaped and bravely ran to security staff telling them that there was a bomb in the car, a horrific and terrible ordeal for him.”
The white Audi at the centre of the alert was abandoned at Church Place close to the police station, sparking a significant security operation with roads closed and residents of nearby homes evacuated.
Mr Henderson described a “significant policing operation” overnight, with around 100 homes evacuated, while a controlled explosion was carried out.
“Ammunition technical officers carried out a controlled explosion to make the vehicle safe and we now know that this was a crude but viable improvised explosive device,” he said.
“As unsophisticated as it was, it posed a significant risk to the life of the terrified delivery driver, our security staff and the local community.”
He said it was “highly likely” that dissident republicans were responsible for the “reckless and cowardly attack”.
“Our investigation is in its early stages, but at this stage we believe it’s highly likely that dissident republican groups are responsible,” he said.
“Those who did this do not have the support of our community here in Lurgan or beyond and it is our community (who) have had to deal with the disruption caused by their pathetic attempt to remain relevant and provoke fear.
“I welcome very much the widespread and unequivocal condemnation we’ve heard from across civic and political society of this attack, and I’m really grateful for the expressions of support and concern that I have received for our officers and staff involved in this operation.”
He asked for anyone who has information or may have seen the hijacked vehicle in the Kilwilkie estate or Lurgan town centre between 10.30pm and 10.50pm on Monday to contact police.
“Any information, however small, might assist with our investigation,” he said.
The roads in the centre of the town reopened on Tuesday morning and residents were able to return to their homes, while the white Audi was taken away at around 11am.
A cordon at the front gate of the police station was removed at around midday following a final fingertip search of the front section by a number of officers.
Posting on the social media platform X, Mr Benn said: “I utterly condemn the reckless act of violence overnight in Lurgan directed at the police, which forced dozens of families from their homes and put people’s lives at risk.
“There is no place for this in NI and those responsible must be held to account.”
Ms O’Neill said those responsible for the attack “have nothing to offer our communities but harm, fear, and disruption”.
“I’ve spoken with the assistant chief constable and local representatives to offer my full support, and to thank them for their work in supporting those impacted in the local community,” she said.
Ms Little-Pengelly also condemned the incident, which she described as “deeply disturbing and serve no purpose other than to endanger lives and hold society back”.
“I want to place on record my sincere gratitude for the police officers who responded with speed, professionalism and courage in dealing with this incident, and thinking too of those threatened in this incident,” she said.
“This incident has also caused significant disruption to local residents and undoubtedly fear and concern through the night. Thinking of all those resident, employees and others impacted.
“I would appeal to anyone with information about the incident to bring it to the PSNI immediately.”
Stormont justice minister Naomi Long described it as a “shameful and dangerous attack”.
“There is absolutely no place for this utterly reckless and abhorrent behaviour,” she said.
“I would like to commend the police officers who responded quickly and professionally to this incident, and my thoughts are also with all those who have been caught up by this despicable attack.”
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he “resolutely condemned the appalling attack”.
“It is beyond comprehension that anyone would commit such dastardly crimes in Northern Ireland given the peace we have had for so many years,” he said.
“This is an attack on the entire community and it has to be resolutely condemned.”
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