Dissident bomb in soldier’s car
Dissident republican group Óglaigh na hÉireann says it is behind the bomb which was planted inside the car of a serving soldier in north Belfast.
Army bomb experts removed the viable device from the car during a security operation in the Black Dam Court area off the Ligoneil Road on Thursday afternoon.
In a statement made to security journalist Brian Rowan, Óglaigh na hÉireann claimed the booby trap device was placed under a seat in the vehicle and was connected to the seat buckle.
“Belfast Brigade Óglaigh na hÉireann claim responsibility for the bomb attack on a serving British Soldier in Ligoneil”, the statement reads.
“Our Volunteers got inside the car and placed the explosive device under the seat with a trap wire running to the seat buckle,” the statement added.
Residents were evacuated from their homes after the suspicious object was found in the car.
A controlled explosion was carried out on the bomb, which has been taken away for further examination.
North Belfast DUP MLA William Humphrey has condemned those responsible for the attack.
“It is disgraceful and utterly appalling, in this day and age, that there are those who are prepared to intimidate and kill to advance their own criminal purposes and warped political ideology,” he said.
“They must be given no hiding place and I would urge anyone who can help the police to bring them to justice to pass on whatever information or suspicions they may have,” he said.
The security operation ended on Thursday evening. A police spokesman said residents would be allowed to return to their homes “as soon as possible”.
