NI police escape bomb attempt

Booby-trapped device fails to explode after bogus 999 call in which a man claimed to have heard a woman in distress Police in Northern Ireland answering a bogus call had a lucky escape after being lured to a booby-trapped bomb that failed to explode. Officers were responding to a 999 call in which a man claimed to have heard a woman in distress in a wooded area off Annadale embankment in south Belfast. But when they arrived at the scene, at about midnight, they found a bomb and wire attached to the gate they passed through to search the area. Superintendent Chris Noble confirmed that a viable device capable of causing multiple deaths was discovered. He said police believed the “sophisticated and substantial” bomb had failed to detonate. Police received the bogus call at 11.50pm on Monday and officers were sent to the scene, which is on a busy road and is opposite allotments that are often in use. When officers arrived at the scene they realised it was empty and only then discovered the device attached to the gate. Army technical officers were called to the scene at about 1.30am and a police helicopter was launched. Detectives have appealed for anyone with information to come forward. Police have been on high alert for attacks by dissident republicans after the death of Constable Ronan Kerr in April after a bomb exploded under his car in Omagh, County Tyrone. In a subsequent incident, hundreds of motorists were allowed to drive past a van containing a 500lb bomb in Newry. The underpass on the main Belfast to Dublin road was closed on 7 April after the suspect vehicle was found by police, but traffic cones barring entry to the road were later removed. Officers said the cordon had been removed by motorists. Dissidents are believed to have stepped up activity before the 5 May assembly elections. Northern Ireland Crime guardian.co.uk

Posted by on April 19, 2011. Filed under News, Politics, World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.