News

Bomb left outside north Belfast primary was an 'attempt to kill police officers'

Anna Conlon and her six-year-old daughter Eileen pictured back in their home after they had been evacuated during the security alert in Ardoyne. Picture by Ann McManus
Anna Conlon and her six-year-old daughter Eileen pictured back in their home after they had been evacuated during the security alert in Ardoyne. Picture by Ann McManus Anna Conlon and her six-year-old daughter Eileen pictured back in their home after they had been evacuated during the security alert in Ardoyne. Picture by Ann McManus

A BOMB left outside the front gate of a primary school in north Belfast was an attempt by dissident republicans to kill police officers, the PSNI has said.

A passing police patrol discovered the device near Holy Cross Boys' Primary School in Ardoyne in the early hours of Sunday morning.

PSNI Chief Superintendent Chris Noble said the device, left against a wall outside the school, was "sizeable" and that the lives of residents had also been put at risk.

"There's no doubt that device was there to try and kill community police officers on the beat in their local area but also it was left in such a reckless manner and in such a reckless location that it would undoubtedly have led to the death or serious injury of a member of the public had it exploded anywhere near them," he said.

"This is an attempt, we believe, by violent dissident republicans to kill police officers but it was also very much an anti-community act as well, in terms of where it was located and the way in which it was left."

The incident was branded 'sickening' by the Secretary of State who said those responsible had shown "wanton disregard" for human life.

Holy Cross Boys' Primary School. Picture by Ann McManus.
Holy Cross Boys' Primary School. Picture by Ann McManus. Holy Cross Boys' Primary School. Picture by Ann McManus.

About 20 residents were evacuated from their homes during the security operation and a number spoke of their anger at those responsible for the device.

John McWilliams, a resident of Butler Walk, whose house is yards from the school's gates, was in bed when asked to leave his home by police.

"Luckily this didn't happen on Sunday night, with the school due to start back on Monday," he said.

"I grew up with all this and we don't want it now. I don't want our kids growing up with all that we went through. People want to live peacefully."

Anna Conlon, who also lives in Butler Walk, left her home with her six-year-old daughter Eileen.

She said: "About midnight police came round the street and at 1.30 we were asked to evacuate. We went to the Houben Centre and then up to my brother's house. We have only just returned."

Children were playing at the entrance to the school yesterday, in a street which is also home to a number of pensioners.

Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly and SDLP councillor Paul McCusker at the scene where a bomb was left outside Holy Cross Boys' Primary School. Picture by Ann McManus
Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly and SDLP councillor Paul McCusker at the scene where a bomb was left outside Holy Cross Boys' Primary School. Picture by Ann McManus Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly and SDLP councillor Paul McCusker at the scene where a bomb was left outside Holy Cross Boys' Primary School. Picture by Ann McManus

Sinn Féin North Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly called on those responsible to "desist from what they are doing".

"I condemn it outright, like all elected representatives here. We represent the people of Ardoyne here and they condemn it. Those responsible for this don't represent the people of Ardoyne.

"The community doesn't want them."

He added: "This is a main walkway and at that time people would have been walking home from pubs and clubs. We could have been talking about fatalities here."

Butler Walk resident John McWilliams who had to leave his home during the security alert in Ardoyne. Picture by Ann McManus
Butler Walk resident John McWilliams who had to leave his home during the security alert in Ardoyne. Picture by Ann McManus Butler Walk resident John McWilliams who had to leave his home during the security alert in Ardoyne. Picture by Ann McManus

SDLP councillor Paul McCusker said: "One young girl, a six-year-old, you could see the fear when you were speaking to her and she said she got woken up by her mum and had to leave the house."

Secretary of State James Brokenshire said last night he was "sickened" that a bomb had been placed close to a primary school.

"This shows their wanton disregard for human life, potentially putting children in danger," he said.

"The consequences could have been utterly devastating and it shows them for what they really are."

The chairman of the Police Federation, Mark Lindsay, said it was an "entirely reckless act".

"The people who did this wanted to murder or maim officers. They didn’t care if passers-by or children out playing in the area were caught up in an explosion."

The school's vice-principal, Chris Donnelly, said a lot of young people gather in the area in the evening.

Pupils are due to return to Holy Cross this morning after the Easter break.