First Minister Says Dunmurry Bomb Attackers ‘Have Nothing To Offer Society’
The First Minister has said those behind the car bomb attack outside a PSNI station in Dunmurry “have nothing to offer our society”, as political condemnation of the incident intensified.
Michelle O’Neill said the individuals responsible “speak for absolutely no one” following the explosion, which is being treated as an attempted murder investigation by police.
The attack took place on Saturday night when a hijacked vehicle containing an explosive device was driven to Dunmurry police station and abandoned before detonating.
Residents, including families with young children and two babies, were being evacuated when the device exploded, engulfing the vehicle in flames and sending debris across the area. No injuries were reported.
Police have said their early assessment is that the attack may have been carried out by the New IRA, although no group has formally claimed responsibility.
Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton said officers “ran into danger” to evacuate residents, describing the outcome as “nothing short of miraculous” given the circumstances.
The First Minister said the attack had no support within the wider community and added that those responsible “have no vision” and would not be allowed to derail progress.
Other political figures also condemned the incident.
Gavin Robinson said any attempt to target police or intimidate communities must be met with the full force of the law, while Hilary Benn described the attack as “appalling”.
Alliance MP Sorcha Eastwood said it was “distressing and disturbing” that a car bomb had been placed in a residential area, highlighting the risk to both homes and businesses.
The incident follows a similar attempted attack in Lurgan in March, where a hijacked vehicle was also used to deliver an explosive device, although it failed to detonate.
Police have said there are “very many similarities” between the two incidents, reinforcing their assessment that the attacks may be linked.
In Northern Ireland/The North, this type of attack method, often described as a proxy device, has historically been associated with dissident republican activity and carries a high risk to civilians due to its unpredictable nature.
While such incidents remain relatively infrequent, the use of a hijacked civilian vehicle in a residential area has raised renewed concerns around public safety and the continued presence of dissident groups operating outside the political process.
The investigation is ongoing and no arrests have been confirmed.
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