Dissident republicans in Northern Ireland tried to use a truck bomb to blow up a ferry sailing to Scotland on Brexit Day, claim local police.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland discovered the device on a lorry at a commercial premises in Lurgan.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
George Clarke, assistant chief constable, said that a phone call was made to a media outlet on 31 January warning that there was a bomb on the trailer of a lorry at Belfast port that was due to sail to Britain.
He said it was a “viable device” that “could have caused death and very serious injury and harm to members of the public. Those who planted this device were reckless or intended to cause that level of harm.”
Det Supt Sean Wright, from the PSNI’s terrorism investigation unit, added: “Had this vehicle travelled and the device had exploded at any point along the M1 [in Northern Ireland], across the Westlink or into the harbour estate, the risks posed do not bear thinking about.
“The only conclusion that we can draw is that once again dissident republicans have shown a total disregard for the community, for businesses and for wider society.”
In a statement to the Irish News the republican group said the device was timed to coincide with Britain’s exit from the EU.
Meanwhile, Sinn Fein’s policing spokesman Gerry Kelly has condemned those behind the bomb, which he said could have caused “catastrophic loss of life”.
“The fact is this could have ended up on a ferry,” he said. “If it had exploded, you are talking about catastrophic loss of life, and whoever planted this bomb needs to know that.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
-
The Miami Showband massacre, 50 years onThe Explainer Unanswered questions remain over Troubles terror attack that killed three members of one of Ireland's most popular music acts
-
PSNI breach: is the UK taking data security seriously enough?Today's Big Question Accidental release of personal details of 10,000 Northern Irish police employees could have lethal consequences
-
What we know about the Copenhagen mall shootingSpeed Read Lone gunman had mental health issues and not thought to have terror motive, police say
-
Texas school shooting: parents turn anger on policeSpeed Read Officers had to be urged to enter building where gunman killed 21 people
-
DJ Tim Westwood denies multiple sexual misconduct allegationsSpeed Read At least seven women accuse the radio and TV presenter of predatory behaviour dating back three decades
-
What happened to Katie Kenyon?Speed Read Man charged as police search for missing 33-year-old last seen getting into van
-
Brooklyn subway shooting: exploring New York’s ‘steep decline in law and order’Speed Read Last week, a gunman set off smoke bombs and opened fire on a rush-hour train in the city
-
How the Capitol attack investigation is splitting the RepublicansSpeed Read Vote to censure two Republican representatives has revealed deep divisions within party
