Northern Ireland

Dissident republicans have targeted security forces via many under-car bombs

Police at Shandon Park Golf Club in east Belfast where a device was spotted under the car of a serving police officer in June 2019. File picture by Pacemaker
Police at Shandon Park Golf Club in east Belfast where a device was spotted under the car of a serving police officer in June 2019. File picture by Pacemaker Police at Shandon Park Golf Club in east Belfast where a device was spotted under the car of a serving police officer in June 2019. File picture by Pacemaker

Dissident republicans have planted bombs under the cars of members of the security forces for many years.

In February 2017, the 'IRA' put a bomb under the car of a PSNI officer in the Culmore area of Derry.

In June 2019, the dissident republican group placed a device under a PSNI officer’s car in east Belfast. The senior officer escaped with his life after the bomb was spotted under his vehicle at Shandon Park Golf Club.

Under-car devices have killed and injured several people.

In 2008 a Catholic officer was injured when a bomb exploded under his car as he drove to work near Castlederg, Co Tyrone.

In January 2010, PSNI officer Peadar Heffron was seriously injured when a bomb exploded under his car near Randalstown, Co Antrim.

More than a year later in April 2011 another Catholic officer, Ronan Kerr, died when a similar bomb exploded under his car in Omagh.

In June 2015 a device was found under a car outside the home of a couple, both PSNI officers, at Eglinton near Derry.

In October that year, a device was also placed under a VW Transporter used by a British soldier in north Belfast. The device fell off.

In March 2016, prison officer Adrian Ismay died 11 days after a bomb exploded under his van as he drove through east Belfast.