MLA casts doubt on bomb mirrors
A DUP MLA has cast doubt on a police intiative to provide officers with mirrors to check for booby trap bombs under their vehicles.
Trevor Clarke represents the area where Constable Peadar Heffron was critically injured when a device exploded beneath his car as he drove to work.
On Thursday, police said they were issuing officers with mirrors to check for such devices.
But Mr Clarke has called the decision “inadequate” and “minimal”.
He added: “Whilst I welcome the fact that the PSNI are responding I feel that the issuing of mirrors would only go to highlight the individuals within the communities they live as a target should they been seen by their neighbours or a terrorist checking their car with a mirror on a daily basis.
“Surely to goodness in this day and age they have something more sophisticated. I hope that cost isn’t prohibiting a better approach to this threat. Money shouldn’t be made a problem if it involves saving lives.”
Peadar Heffron remains critically ill after leg in the attack on the Milltown Road near Randalstown last Friday. A fluent Irish speaker, he was also a keen sportsman, captaining the PSNI GAA team and also turning out for his local rugby club.
Detectives have said they are investigating a link between the attack on him and another booby-trap bomb which injured the partner of a serving officer in October.
Electronic detectors
The PSNI has said the decision to supply the mirrors to more than 10,000 of its officers and staff was taken weeks before that attack.
They have added that as well as mirrors, electronic detectors may be available. But senior officers have stressed that the most reliable safeguard is for staff to physically check under their vehicles.
Assistant Chief Constable Duncan McCausland said the most effective way to counter the threat of under car devices was to look under the vehicle for anything suspicious.
“That is what we are advising all our staff to do and to ensure that if they see anything suspicious they immediately report it.
“Every piece of technology can always be countered and the best piece of technology we all have is our eyes.”
