Mortar Type Device Found At Police Station

Ulster Unionist Policing Board Member Ross Hussey has condemned this morning's security alert in west Belfast in the wake of an attempted attack on New Barnsley Police Station via a mortar type device.

Mr Hussey said: "It is quite clear that in spite of recent setbacks both north and south of the border, republican terror groups remain determined to kill police officers. Today's attack in the Ballygomartin Road area of Belfast failed as did one last weekend in Newtownabbey.

"Seizures of weaponry in Tipperary, Belfast and Londonderry have included older weaponry believed to originate from Libya which obviously belongs to the armoury of the Provisional IRA."

Mr Hussey called for the Chief Constable to make a statement on recent finds and give an assessment of how much Provisional IRA weaponry has come into the possession of terrorists who are active today.

He continued: "As a society we cannot tolerate this type of terrorism which threatens law and order throughout both jurisdictions on the island of Ireland. I salute the PSNI and our security forces for their fortitude and bravery as they protect the entire community and I call on Sinn Fein to help the Police identify those terrorists who are responsible for attempting to drag us back to the dark days of the past."

Condemning the latest attempt to attack police offices in West Belfast, Board Chair Brian Rea said: "Whilst the target of the mortar device may have been police officers, whoever placed it also had complete disregard for the local community.

"It is only a matter of time before a member of the public is caught up in one of these reckless attacks and in this instance we are thankful for the vigilance of the police officer who spotted the device.

"Police do need the help and support of the community at this time. I urge anyone with information to pass it to the police or through Crimestoppers."

(CD)