05/12/2001
Road and rail links reopened following bomb find
British army bomb experts have defused a bomb containing 35kg of home made explosives which was found under a railway line at the Irish border.
The device was discovered at Killeen Bridge near Newry in County Down, following a six-day security alert in the area.
The track between Newry and Dundalk in County Louth was closed last Thursday after police received telephoned bomb warnings. The Newry to Dundalk road was also closed for almost two days because of the alerts.
The alerts began just after 7pm on Thursday 29 November when police in Dundalk, County Louth, and police in Northern Ireland received a number of telephone bomb warnings.
A number of armed and masked men also hijacked a lorry in the area. It was set on fire and blocked the main A1 Newry to Dundalk Road.
Speaking about the security operation involved in making the bomb safe, Assistant Chief Constable Stephen White said: “A blue plastic barrel was horizontally placed under the track. Railway sleepers sit on a sort of a balance of gravel and some of that was removed and a blue plastic barrel was fitted underneath. We are talking about something that could have had absolutely devastating effect had it gone off when a train had been passing.
“The device had been detonated and I have to commend the Brigadier, my opposite number in the Army and all his resources, both search teams and Army Technical Officers for a very successful operation. They did deal with a device that had partially detonated and one can only think of the devastation it would have caused, had it happened when a train was passing.”
SDLP assembly member for Newry and Armagh John Fee has condemned those who planted a bomb. He said: “Those who planted this device had no concern for the safety of the people travelling on the train. It is clear that they were intent on causing death and destruction. I dread to think of the consequences if the bomb had exploded. A security operation had been in place for a number of days, and during this time hundreds of people have been inconvenienced as the cross border train service has been disrupted.” (AMcE)
The device was discovered at Killeen Bridge near Newry in County Down, following a six-day security alert in the area.
The track between Newry and Dundalk in County Louth was closed last Thursday after police received telephoned bomb warnings. The Newry to Dundalk road was also closed for almost two days because of the alerts.
The alerts began just after 7pm on Thursday 29 November when police in Dundalk, County Louth, and police in Northern Ireland received a number of telephone bomb warnings.
A number of armed and masked men also hijacked a lorry in the area. It was set on fire and blocked the main A1 Newry to Dundalk Road.
Speaking about the security operation involved in making the bomb safe, Assistant Chief Constable Stephen White said: “A blue plastic barrel was horizontally placed under the track. Railway sleepers sit on a sort of a balance of gravel and some of that was removed and a blue plastic barrel was fitted underneath. We are talking about something that could have had absolutely devastating effect had it gone off when a train had been passing.
“The device had been detonated and I have to commend the Brigadier, my opposite number in the Army and all his resources, both search teams and Army Technical Officers for a very successful operation. They did deal with a device that had partially detonated and one can only think of the devastation it would have caused, had it happened when a train was passing.”
SDLP assembly member for Newry and Armagh John Fee has condemned those who planted a bomb. He said: “Those who planted this device had no concern for the safety of the people travelling on the train. It is clear that they were intent on causing death and destruction. I dread to think of the consequences if the bomb had exploded. A security operation had been in place for a number of days, and during this time hundreds of people have been inconvenienced as the cross border train service has been disrupted.” (AMcE)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
02 December 2019
Pair Charged Over Co Armagh Security Alert
A man and woman are due in court over a security alert in Tandragee, Co Armagh. The blast bomb device was made safe after it was discovered during a police search in Woodview Park on Saturday 30 November. A 20 year-old woman and a 21 year-old man have been charged to appear before Newry Magistrates' Court tomorrow, Monday 02 December.
Pair Charged Over Co Armagh Security Alert
A man and woman are due in court over a security alert in Tandragee, Co Armagh. The blast bomb device was made safe after it was discovered during a police search in Woodview Park on Saturday 30 November. A 20 year-old woman and a 21 year-old man have been charged to appear before Newry Magistrates' Court tomorrow, Monday 02 December.
10 March 2015
Viable Pipe Bomb Found In North Belfast
A viable pipe bomb has been found in north Belfast, police have confirmed. Police and army bomb experts discovered the device in the garden of a house in Shore Crescent on Monday. The pipe bomb has been removed for further examination. Police are appealing for anyone with information to contact them.
Viable Pipe Bomb Found In North Belfast
A viable pipe bomb has been found in north Belfast, police have confirmed. Police and army bomb experts discovered the device in the garden of a house in Shore Crescent on Monday. The pipe bomb has been removed for further examination. Police are appealing for anyone with information to contact them.
25 February 2011
Lisburn On Alert As Pipe Bomb Explodes
There's an ongoing security alert in progress in Lisburn, Co Antrim after a pipe bomb device exploded at 9.30am this morning. A family escaped injury in the blast and the PSNI have said this afternoon that is not clear if the explosion occurred when the car drove over it, or that it had fallen off the vehicle.
Lisburn On Alert As Pipe Bomb Explodes
There's an ongoing security alert in progress in Lisburn, Co Antrim after a pipe bomb device exploded at 9.30am this morning. A family escaped injury in the blast and the PSNI have said this afternoon that is not clear if the explosion occurred when the car drove over it, or that it had fallen off the vehicle.
21 August 2001
Overnight gun and pipe bomb attacks
A number of people have escaped injury after a series of gun and pipe bomb attacks on their homes in County Antrim. A ten-year-old boy escaped in jury after shots were fired into a house at Mounthill Drive in Cloughmills, County Antrim.
Overnight gun and pipe bomb attacks
A number of people have escaped injury after a series of gun and pipe bomb attacks on their homes in County Antrim. A ten-year-old boy escaped in jury after shots were fired into a house at Mounthill Drive in Cloughmills, County Antrim.
06 October 2023
Man Arrested After Car Set On Fire In L'Derry
A man has been arrested after a car was set on fire outside a house in L’Derry. The incident happened in the Clon Elagh area at around 11.05pm on Thursday, 05 October. A woman and three children were in the house at the time and were left shaken.
Man Arrested After Car Set On Fire In L'Derry
A man has been arrested after a car was set on fire outside a house in L’Derry. The incident happened in the Clon Elagh area at around 11.05pm on Thursday, 05 October. A woman and three children were in the house at the time and were left shaken.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.