Distretto Nord

Bomba da 300 libbre ad Aughnacloy

300lb bomb caused Aughnacloy alert

A 300lb viable bomb was at the centre of a security alert in Co Tyrone after the device was abandoned in a van outside Aughnacloy PSNI station, police have confirmed.

Allarme bomba ad Aughnacloy | Bomb alert in AughnacloyArmy experts carried out a controlled explosion on the device on Friday afternoon as officers confirmed lives could have been lost in the town.

“We can confirm that this was a viable device containing an estimated 300lbs of explosives,” said Superintendent Brian Kee.

“I have no doubt that if this device had detonated it would have caused complete devastation and lives would certainly have been lost.

“The intention of the people responsible for planting this bomb in the middle of the village of Aughnacloy is to murder police officers with no regard for the people who live in this community.”

He added: “They completely ignored the fact that there could easily have been passers-by or nearby residents caught up and killed or seriously injured in an explosion.

“This is an outrage and should be condemned in the strongest possible terms by every right thinking person.

“It is thanks to the bravery and dedication of the local officers who responded to the area last night and the cooperation of the local community that no one was hurt or killed.”

The van containing the bomb was abandoned outside the barracks at about 10pm on Thursday night and a telephone warning was received, giving just one hour’s warning that the device was due to go off.

The evacuation of about 350 residents was still underway when the deadline passed, but the bomb failed to detonate.

‘Deeply distressing’

Ulster Unionist MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone Tom Elliott condemned the alert as “deeply distressing”.

“News that this was an apparently large and viable device, which was planted with just an hour’s warning, is deeply saddening for those who are committed to a peaceful future,” he said.

“The fact that some 350 people were evacuated and spent the night in local halls demonstrates how seriously the police are taking these threats.

“I commend the PSNI on their ongoing work to protect the people of Northern Ireland from those who seek to drag us back to the dark days of the past.”

Mr Elliot added: “Unfortunately, the events of recent months have shown that there is no such thing as being too careful – these thugs have no respect for life. Their determination to injure and maim is indiscriminate.”

Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Martin deplored the attempted bomb attack.

“This was a reckless and cowardly act whose only impact was to put at grave risk the safety of the people of Aughnacloy,” he said.

Mr Martin said the attack had no justification or excuse, no mandate and no legitimacy.

“The gangs which carry out such violence and criminality should cease their activity and disband immediately,” he continued.

“The clearly expressed will of the people of this island, north and south, is that there should be peace, stability and reconciliation.

“Those elected by the people of Ireland to represent them will not allow a small unrepresentative minority to distract them from the course set by the people.”

Mr Martin called on anyone with information to contact gardai or the PSNI.

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René Querin

Di professione grafico e web designer, sono appassionato di trekking e innamorato dell'Irlanda e della sua storia. Insieme ad Andrea Varacalli ho creato e gestisco Les Enfants Terribles.

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