Northern Ireland

Prison officer attack: police fear dissidents intend marking Easter Rising with killings

The dark blue van was targeted in the attack
The dark blue van was targeted in the attack The dark blue van was targeted in the attack
By By David Young and Lesley Anne McKeown and Press Association

POLICE investigating the attempted murder of a prison officer have warned that dissident republicans are intent on killing security force members to mark the centenary of the Easter Rising in Dublin.

The 52-year-old long-serving prison officer, who is married with children, required surgery after an explosive device detonated under the van he was driving in east Belfast this morning. His condition has been described at stable.

PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Stephen Martin expressed fear that the attack was part of an upsurge in dissident activity ahead of the forthcoming centernary.

Mr Martin said while the terror threat level has been categorised as "severe" for a number of years he was now describing it as "the upper end of severe".

"I believe there are people within dissident republican groupings who want to mark this centenary by killing police officers, prison officers and soldiers," he said.

"I am saying that publicly, I am saying it deliberately, and I am saying I need the help of the community. That is not inevitable, this does not need to happen, but we need the support of the community."

The prison offer was driving his van when the device exploded. Detectives are examining whether the bomb dislodged from the vehicle as it was going over a speed bump.

A number of houses in Hillsborough Drive were evacuated and an emergency centre opened up at the Salvation Army on the Cregagh Road.

Woodstock Road has been closed at its junctions with Omeath Street and Ravenhill Avenue.

Emergency services are at the scene.

A large cordon has been put up around the scene with several streets closed off. Part of a twisted bumper can be seen lying at the side of the road.

Among the families making their way to school and people walking to work there was a real sense of shock.

One shop worker waiting to gain permission to open up said he had heard a "massive" bang at about 7.20am. "I didn't know what it was but it was huge," said the man, who declined to be named.

The first and deputy first ministers released a joint statement condemning the attack.

"This is a despicable and shocking attack," they said.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with this senior prison officer and his family as he is treated for his injuries in hospital.

"We join all right-thinking people in condemning these cowardly actions. As a prison officer, he is someone who serves and protects our community and we are united in our rejection of this attack. Prison service workers have our full support as they play their part in building a peaceful society. The perpetrators offer nothing but hatred and fear."

The Republic's Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan said he was deeply concerned.

"My immediate thoughts are for the health and welfare of the injured officer and I convey my best wishes to him, his family and colleagues," he said.

"This callous and cowardly incident must be utterly condemned. Not only was it targeted on an individual public servant, it represented a futile attack on the entire community which is determined to achieve a peaceful and reconciled society in Northern Ireland."