A delivery driver in Northern Ireland was forced at gunpoint to drive his vehicle to a police station with a viable explosive device planted inside, sparking a major security alert.
Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the force’s specialist terrorism unit was leading the investigation into the incident in Lurgan, Co Armagh.
He said that at about 10.30pm on Monday the driver was making a delivery in the Kilwilkie area when he was hijacked by two masked men, one of whom was armed with a pistol. They placed an unspecified object in the boot of the white Audi A4 car and the driver was told to drive it to Lurgan police station or he would be killed.
“The car was driven to the station where the driver escaped and ran to security staff, telling them that there was a bomb in the car,” Henderson said.
A significant policing operation was put in place overnight with about 100 homes in the area being evacuated and residents moved to a local rest centre at Lurgan Town Hall. Ammunition Technical Officers carried out a controlled explosion to make the vehicle safe.
“We now know that this was a crude, but viable improvised explosive device. As unsophisticated as it was, it posed a significant risk to the life of the terrified delivery worker, our security staff and the local community,” Henderson said.
“This was a reckless and cowardly attack. Our investigation is in its early stages but, at this stage, we believe it’s highly likely that dissident republican groups are responsible.
“Those responsible do not have the support of our community here in Lurgan or beyond, and it is our community who have had to deal with the disruption caused by their pathetic attempt to remain relevant and provoke fear.”
A number of roads were closed in the centre of the town and homes evacuated over the alert.
Northern Ireland’s Justice Minister Naomi Long described it as a “shameful and dangerous attack”.
Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows said the incident “bears all the hallmarks of a terrorist attack, probably carried out by dissident republicans”.
Assistant Chief Constable Henderson said it was “clearly an absolutely terrifying ordeal to the poor man who was forced to drive the car, hugely disruptive and distressing event for the local community in Lurgan.”
Long said: “This is a shameful and dangerous attack that has put lives at risk and caused disruption and upset to the local community.
“There is absolutely no place for this utterly reckless and abhorrent behaviour.
“I would like to commend the police officers who responded quickly and professionally to this incident and my thoughts are also with all those who have been caught up by this despicable attack.”
Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd said: “This has caused massive disruption to local families and businesses. I hope the town can return to normal as quickly as possible.” – PA
