Northern Ireland

Man held over mortar bomb found pointed at police station

Police search the Creggan estate in Derry following the discovery of a mortar in Strabane, Co Tyrone at the weekend. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin
Police search the Creggan estate in Derry following the discovery of a mortar in Strabane, Co Tyrone at the weekend. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin Police search the Creggan estate in Derry following the discovery of a mortar in Strabane, Co Tyrone at the weekend. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin

Detectives investigating the discovery of a mortar bomb pointed at a Northern Ireland police station have arrested a 33-year-old man.

The improvised explosive device (IED) was positioned close to a family home in Strabane, Co Tyrone.

The suspect was detained in the Strabane area on Tuesday.

The incident has been blamed on dissident republican group the New IRA.

Police Service of Northern Ireland Detective Inspector Andrew Hamlin said: "Our investigation is ongoing and I would continue to appeal to anyone who saw anything suspicious in the Church View area on the Friday night (September 6) or the early hours of Saturday morning to contact police.

"I believe an orange Fiat Sedici pizza delivery vehicle that was hijacked in the area of Mount Sion, Ballycolman, Strabane, at 9.40pm was used to place the device in Church View at approximately 9.45pm."

He said the vehicle was believed to have travelled along Mount Sion, Ballycolman Avenue, Bridge Street, Market Street and Church Street.

He added: "It was subsequently abandoned on Evish Road, Strabane."

Mr Hamlin urged anyone who saw the vehicle or has dashcam footage to come forward.

The mortar bomb discovered in Strabane at the weekend
The mortar bomb discovered in Strabane at the weekend The mortar bomb discovered in Strabane at the weekend
Police have released these pictures of the mortar bomb in Strabane showing its proximity to homes in the area 
Police have released these pictures of the mortar bomb in Strabane showing its proximity to homes in the area  Police have released these pictures of the mortar bomb in Strabane showing its proximity to homes in the area 
A mortar bomb was discovered at Church View overlooking the back of the police base in Strabane Co Tyrone on Saturday. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin
A mortar bomb was discovered at Church View overlooking the back of the police base in Strabane Co Tyrone on Saturday. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin A mortar bomb was discovered at Church View overlooking the back of the police base in Strabane Co Tyrone on Saturday. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin