Explosive Device Found At West Belfast House

A security alert was established in west Belfast this morning after an explosive device was planted outside the home of Martin Finucane.

The "crude explosive" was found in the Glenties Drive area in the early hours of Thursday 20 February.

Mr Finucane is a prominent human rights campaigner and the brother of the murdered solicitor Pat Finucane.

An object was thrown at the front window of the house at around 6.30am, causing the outer pane of glass to smash.

A vehicle was heard making off from the scene before a suspicious object was discovered in the front garden.

ATO examined the area and declared the object as the remnants of a crude explosive device that had not ignited.

Two adults who were inside at the time were "extremely fortunate" to escape without injury, police have said.

A motive for the attack has not yet been established.

The incident has sparked outrage across the political spectrum.

Sinn Fein MP Paul Maskey condemned the attack "unreservedly".

"This attack is reckless and shows a callous disregard for the Finucane family and the local community," the west Belfast MP said.

"This is an attack on a justice and human rights campaigner and as such is an attack on the whole community.

"Those behind this device have nothing to offer society."

Local SDLP representative Paul Doherty also spoke out against the attack.

He said: "It is wrong and shows a reckless disregard for both the Finucane family and the wider community," he said.

"Those responsible have nothing to offer this community. We are trying to build a better West Belfast and acts like this only make that harder. They have to be faced down."

Police are appealing for anyone who was in the Glenties Drive area around the time of the incident, who may have witnessed any unusual activity or vehicles, to contact detectives in Musgrave on 101 quoting reference 212 of 20/02/2020.

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.



(JG/MH)