News

Mortar seized 'similiar to one used to attack police'

Police remove a mortar bomb launcher during a security alert in west Belfast yesterday. Picture by Alan Lewis/ Photopress
Police remove a mortar bomb launcher during a security alert in west Belfast yesterday. Picture by Alan Lewis/ Photopress Police remove a mortar bomb launcher during a security alert in west Belfast yesterday. Picture by Alan Lewis/ Photopress

A MORTAR found on grass near homes and a crèche in west Belfast was understood to be similar to one used in a dissident attack on police last year.

The bomb, thought to be a powerful device known as an Explosively Formed Projectile (EFP), was found in the Colin Road area of Poleglass area yesterday.

Police said it could have caused "serious injury".

Several homes and a crèche were evacuated after the mortar was found.

Forensic officers were seen removing items including a mortar bomb launcher and a projectile filled with explosives and dozens of marbles.

British army bomb experts later said the object was an "improvised explosive device".

It is understood the mortar had been hidden in the area. It was thought to be similar to a mortar which was fired at a PSNI Land Rover as it drove along the Falls Road in west Belfast in March 2014.

The dissident group calling itself the 'IRA' later claimed in a statement to The Irish News that the Explosively Formed Projectile (EFP) attached to railings close to the entrance of the City Cemetery was fired from a tube by an 'IRA' unit using a command wire.

EFPs, which can pierce armour over a long distance, have been used by insurgents in Iraq.

Detective Inspector Stuart Griffin said last night the mortar had been taken away for further forensic examination.

"This device had the capability to cause serious injury and was left in an open public area where anybody, including children, could have found it," he said.

He appealed for information.

Sinn Féin councillor Stephen Magennis said the alert had put those living nearby in danger.

"This is a built up area with many people using a pathway nearby as a short cut which leads up to a school," he said.

He said five homes, the Footprints Women’s centre and its crèche had to be evacuated.

"This disruption is unacceptable and those who are responsible for this device need to explain to this community what it will achieve," he said.

In August, dissidents were blamed for planting a viable mortar in a Strabane graveyard in a bid to kill police.

The mortar bomb was found during a major two-day security operation at the graveyard in the Townsend Street area of the Co Tyrone town.

District commander Mark McEwan said at the time: "The bomb was left with the intent to kill police officers. It could have killed anyone passing by."