Breaking news, dissident republicans, real ira, the ira, PSNI, bomb attacks, arrests

Breaking news, dissident republicans, real ira, the ira, PSNI, bomb attacks, arrests

As ‘dissidents’ push for early 2013 Kill two men have been arrested in relation to booby trap bomb attack.

The men aged 25 and 34 were detained in the Belfast area on Monday evening.

The PSNI officer, his wife and two young children were about to leave their Upper Newtownards Road home for lunch on Sunday when the bomb was discovered.

Detectives from the PSNI's Serious Crime Branch investigating the attempted murder of the officer and his family have appealed for information.

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Dickson said: "At this stage we believe that the device was left underneath the officer's car sometime between 5.30pm on Friday 28 December and 2pm on Sunday 30 December.

"My investigation team want to speak to anyone who was in the area of the Upper Newtownards Road between the junction of the Knock Road and Knockdene Park."

Police particularly want to speak to anyone who may have seen something untoward in that area, like a parked vehicle or someone acting suspiciously.

Detectives can be contacted in Ladas Drive on 0845 600 8000. Information can be given anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Pipe bomb thrown

Glenalina Road in the city was closed on Monday night after the incident.

Army bomb experts attended the scene of the security alert.

A PSNI spokeswoman said: "ATO have examined a suspicious object discovered in the area and have declared it to be a viable device, which has been taken away for further examination."

Residents who had to leave their properties were taken to Whiterock Community Centre.

They were allowed to return home after midnight on New Year's Day.

Local Sinn Féin Councillor Stephen Corr has condemned the attack.

He said: "This community is angry and annoyed that this has been visited upon them."

Armagh bomb

Army technical officers examined the object, thought to be a pipe bomb-style device, which was left at the gates of the station during the alert which has now ended.

Residents have been allowed to return after a number of homes in the area had to be evacuated.

The Armagh Road was closed to traffic during the alert.

Danny Kennedy, Ulster Unionist MLA for Newry and Armagh condemned those responsible for the attack.

"Whoever they are or whatever cause they profess to follow, cowardly attacks on police officers, police stations or local communities will not advance their cause one iota," he added.

"They have caused a lot of inconvenience to local residents, with disabled people and young and old alike being evacuated from their homes in Ballymore Park and along the Armagh Road."

Mr Kennedy thanked the police and army teams for dealing with the alert.

He added: "We must all be mindful of the work that the security forces continue to do in defence of a democratic society and give them our full support."

With the New Year only hours away, those cowards responsible for this have nothing to offer the people of Northern Ireland for the future.

Danny Kennedy, UUP MLA

Newry and Armagh DUP MLA William Irwin MLA also condemned those responsible for the device as offering "nothing only destruction and disruption".

"This is a very concerning incident especially in a rural town like Tandragee and it is especially concerning when so many residents, many of whom are elderly, have had to leave their homes whilst this suspect device is dealt with," he said.

"No one in Tandragee wants this type of disruption and indeed considering the threat to our Police officers remains so high at the moment, having devices left at Police stations is extremely reckless and totally abhorrent.

"Young families also go for walks out the Armagh road and pass the station gates which only adds to the risk this suspect device could have posed."

Police have appealed for anyone with information on the incident to contact them.