Dissident arrest follows mortar find

Published Friday, 05 October 2012

A man has been arrested in north Belfast on suspicion of dissident republican activity after a substantial, viable device – described as a horizontal style mortar intended for a specific target – was found during a security alert in Ardoyne.

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The device was found at the back of an elderly woman's home in the Jamaica Street area on Thursday and was made safe by an Army bomb squad, after more than 30 families were evacuated.

Following examinations of the mortar bomb, police believe that it would probably have been directed at a vehicle.

"This is not the first time such a device has been recovered by police in Northern Ireland, but it is a worrying indication of the capability and intent of those individuals or groups who seek to bring death and injury back to our streets, our homes and our communities," police said.

"Anyone in the vicinity of this device, had it exploded, would have been seriously injured or killed. Good police work has undoubtedly saved lives and prevented misery."

The 21-year-old man was detained on Friday and taken to Antrim for questioning.

The discovery of this device has potentially saved members of the security forces and the public from serious injury or death.
Nigel Dodds

Earlier, the senior officer leading the investigation said the bomb was primed to kill.

"Once again the community of north Belfast has been disrupted and the lives of residents put at risk by an element intent on causing as much loss of life and disruption as they can," Area Commander Chief Inspector Andrew Freeburn said.

"I am sure the residents in the area and the wider public will be just as angry as I am about this discovery - they have every right to be outraged.

"However, what we need now is information about who left the device there in the first place."

Amid cross-party condemnation over the device and the fact it was left in such a densely populated area, DUP MP Nigel Dodds said "suspicion will fall upon dissident republicans".

Chief Inspector Andrew Freeburn added: "There is nothing to suggest this is anything other than dissidents."

Local Sinn Féin councillor Gerard McCabe said that those responsible had "endangered local residents and also forced families to leave their homes".

Officers continue to urge anyone with information to contact them.

Comments

16 Comments

Realist in England wrote (227 days ago):

Laura - I wonder what he would have said about exactly the same thing if the Provos had made it? This is all utter nonsense and, if you don't realise that, you really should. Whatever the opposing sides would argue for/against such activities, it is sickeningly disingenuous of PSF to issue such condemnation when their military wing did exactly the same things itself. If the deed was unduly 'reckless', then the Provos were unduly reckless. If the action was a crime against the people of Ireland, then the Provos are greater criminals still for doing it more often. The question isn't whether such munitions should be made, stored, used, decommissioned or anything else. To me, the major issue in republican areas today is Provo hypocrisy and it truly upsets me to see so many of my compatriots suckered in by it all. As the unionists have shown for many years, you don't have to support militant republicans to hate the provisional movement. Wake up and smell the coffee!

jan in Ardoyne wrote (228 days ago):

Live in Ardoyne myself, and totaly agree with Lee. Every body need to come out and stand together against these ? cant think what to call these people.No point protesting of bands, and not over these murderers.

realist in Northern Ireland wrote (228 days ago):

republicans are always out protesting at the orange order and bands for walking past empty chapels banging their drums too hard....why are they not out protesting against those republicans in their own community who are trying to wreck the peace ?????

Laura in Ardoyne wrote (228 days ago):

As an Ardoyne I and the rest of the community are extremely concerned that these thugs left any kind of device in Jamaica Street. Don't be niave folks, just cause the media aren't covering it doesn't mean the community in Ardoyne aren't outraged and disgusted, the media are well known for printing parts of statements that suit them. Having voiced my concerns to Gerard McCabe personally, (my sister and her 2 kids were out of their home for hours because of this bomb), he did condem the people who left the bomb. I would ask where were the media when the residents were taking refuge in the community centre or with friends/relatives? I didn't see of them about at any stage to interview residents, my sister certainly wasn't approached to give her view, which she was more than willing to do. The scum that are supposed to be dissidents are not welcome in our areas, they do not speak for or represent us and their actions are dangerous and disgusting to put it mildly. As for residents mettings etc, there have been some, these people haven't the guts to come before us and defend their actions, not that they have a defence. There have also been leaftlets put around homes in Ardoyne several times, from various sources, telling these thugs to leave us and others alone, they are not welcome and have no justification for existing!

Tadhg in Belfast wrote (228 days ago):

All this talk of priests needing to be more vocal is non sense. As a socialist Republican I wouldn't waste time listening to the voice piece of Capitalism.

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