Northern Ireland police foil suspected New IRA bomb, prevent casualties

Police in Northern Ireland said a suspected New IRA car bomb attack was prevented from causing casualties after officers evacuated residents moments before an explosion outside a station in Dunmurry.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland stated on Sunday that a hijacked vehicle carrying a gas cylinder device detonated late Saturday outside the police station southwest of Belfast. Officers had begun evacuating nearby homes, including residents with two babies, when the blast occurred.

Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton said the “early working hypothesis” is that dissident republican group the New IRA may be responsible. He said officers “immediately and courageously ran into danger,” adding their actions likely saved lives.

No injuries were reported, though the explosion caused significant damage. The attack is being treated as attempted murder, with counterterrorism police leading the investigation.

The incident follows a similar attempted attack last month in Lurgan blamed on dissident republicans.