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British Army bomb experts make safe a viable device sent to PSNI

Alert raised after a suspicious package received through the post

A viable explosive device was sent to the headquarters of Northern Ireland’s police service. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
A viable explosive device was sent to the headquarters of Northern Ireland’s police service. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Thu Jan 08 2015 - 20:58

British Army bomb experts have made safe a viable device sent to the headquarters of Northern Ireland’s police service.

The alert was raised after a suspicious package in a brown padded bag with a white address label was received through the post.

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Superintendent Sam Donaldson said someone could have been seriously hurt.

“This is a mindless and foolish act that could have resulted in the serious injury of any person handling the package,” he said.

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“Although we have no information to suggest there may be other similar packages in the postal system, I would encourage people to be vigilant.”

In 2013 dissident republicans opposed to the peace process were blamed for sending a series of letter bombs to high-profile political and security figures in Northern Ireland.

One of the devices was sent to Stormont Castle, addressed to Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers.

Another bomb was delivered to the offices of the Public Prosecution Service in Derry, while two explosive packages — one addressed to then PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott and the other to one of his senior commanders — were intercepted at Royal Mail offices in Belfast and Lisburn.

PA