SF calls for dissidents to disband after bombing

Sinn Féin has called on the dissident republicans who carried out a bomb attack on a British army base in south Belfast to cease…

Sinn Féin has called on the dissident republicans who carried out a bomb attack on a British army base in south Belfast to cease their activities and disband immediately.

Dissident republicans planted two devices at the Territorial Army base in the Ormeau Road area.

They were left at the rear of the military camp at Haywood Avenue, near Sunnyside Street. The devices were placed inside a holdall which was attached to the perimeter fence at head height.

One of the devices exploded blowing a large hole in the fence. British army bomb experts carried out two controlled explosions on the other device on Sunday night.

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No-one was injured in the explosion. People living in the nearby Annadale Flats had to be evacuated during the security operation. The Police Service of Northern Ireland said those who carried out the attack had endangered lives.

Assistant Chief Constable Maggie Hunter said: "They have driven this device into a built-up area putting not only members of the security forces at risk but the people who live in this area."

Sinn Féin Lord Mayor of Belfast, Mr Alex Maskey said: "The people who carried out this attack are opposed to the peace process and the Good Friday agreement.

"Sinn Féin have long called for these micro-groups to desist from this sort of activity and disband." Local Ulster Unionist MP, the Rev Martin Smyth, said it was fortunate no-one was injured.

His colleague, Assembly member, Mr Michael McGimpsey, blamed the Continuity IRA for the attack.