Menu
25/10/2002
Van bomb partially explodes before area was cleared
Police have said that the van bomb left in Belfast City centre this morning had partially exploded before the area had been fully cleared.
Speaking at the scene, Chief Inspector Bill Brown said: "We received several warnings through the media and my officers responded and cleared the scene. I have to say that the warning we received was wholely inadequate to clear an area of this size, and I would like to commend my officers for their courageous actoins in clearing the scene as quickly as they did."
Hundreds of workers in businesses and offices in the area were evacuated in the security operation this morning. Bedford Street and adjacent streets were sealed off, to divert traffic around the scene, while bomb disposal experts examined the suspicious van parked near Windsor House.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing a muffled bang prior to the Army Technical Officers moving in to examine the vehicle.
A caller to a newsroom in Belfast claiming to represent dissident republican group, the Continuity IRA, said that a device had been left in the vehicle.
It is understood that masked men hijacked the van at Carrigart in west Belfast before parking the vehicle in Franklin Street close to Windsor House. Police have appealed for anyone with information on the movements of a white coloured van, licence plate L501 XGG, to contact them.
Scene of Crimes Officers are carrying out a forensic examination on the vehicle.
A later security alert at the Belfast Telegraph offices in Royal Avenue is being treated as a hoax. The road was closed to traffic for a time while the warning was investigated.
On Monday a series of alerts caused major disruption throughout the city centre.
The area around Wellington Place was sealed off on Monday morning when two armed men left a suspect package on a bus. Later the same morning the CastleCourt shopping centre was evacuated following a telephone warning to a local newspaper. The caller used a recognised code word and claimed to represent the Real IRA.
Both alerts on Monday proved to be hoaxes.
(SP)
Speaking at the scene, Chief Inspector Bill Brown said: "We received several warnings through the media and my officers responded and cleared the scene. I have to say that the warning we received was wholely inadequate to clear an area of this size, and I would like to commend my officers for their courageous actoins in clearing the scene as quickly as they did."
Hundreds of workers in businesses and offices in the area were evacuated in the security operation this morning. Bedford Street and adjacent streets were sealed off, to divert traffic around the scene, while bomb disposal experts examined the suspicious van parked near Windsor House.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing a muffled bang prior to the Army Technical Officers moving in to examine the vehicle.
A caller to a newsroom in Belfast claiming to represent dissident republican group, the Continuity IRA, said that a device had been left in the vehicle.
It is understood that masked men hijacked the van at Carrigart in west Belfast before parking the vehicle in Franklin Street close to Windsor House. Police have appealed for anyone with information on the movements of a white coloured van, licence plate L501 XGG, to contact them.
Scene of Crimes Officers are carrying out a forensic examination on the vehicle.
A later security alert at the Belfast Telegraph offices in Royal Avenue is being treated as a hoax. The road was closed to traffic for a time while the warning was investigated.
On Monday a series of alerts caused major disruption throughout the city centre.
The area around Wellington Place was sealed off on Monday morning when two armed men left a suspect package on a bus. Later the same morning the CastleCourt shopping centre was evacuated following a telephone warning to a local newspaper. The caller used a recognised code word and claimed to represent the Real IRA.
Both alerts on Monday proved to be hoaxes.
(SP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
13 December 2007
Army Remove Device In Banbridge GAA Alert
A 'viable' pipe bomb has been found at a GAA ground in County Down. The bomb was found during an overnight alert at the ground on the Ballela Road outside Banbridge. Police have since described the device as "viable" and it has now been removed by the Army Technical Officers.
Army Remove Device In Banbridge GAA Alert
A 'viable' pipe bomb has been found at a GAA ground in County Down. The bomb was found during an overnight alert at the ground on the Ballela Road outside Banbridge. Police have since described the device as "viable" and it has now been removed by the Army Technical Officers.
23 January 2019
Police Ombudsman: Officers Cleared Of Injuring Woman
A Police Ombudsman investigation has cleared PSNI officers of giving a woman a black eye and using excessive force. The quashed complaint was in relation to an incident outside a Belfast nightclub in July 2018.
Police Ombudsman: Officers Cleared Of Injuring Woman
A Police Ombudsman investigation has cleared PSNI officers of giving a woman a black eye and using excessive force. The quashed complaint was in relation to an incident outside a Belfast nightclub in July 2018.
05 September 2018
Police Officers Accused Of Assault Cleared
Police officers accused of assaulting a man outside a hotel in Belfast have been cleared. The man accused officers of stamping on his foot, misusing CS Spray and causing further injury to his foot by dragging him into a police vehicle. He was subsequently arrested and convicted of disorderly behaviour in connection with the incident.
Police Officers Accused Of Assault Cleared
Police officers accused of assaulting a man outside a hotel in Belfast have been cleared. The man accused officers of stamping on his foot, misusing CS Spray and causing further injury to his foot by dragging him into a police vehicle. He was subsequently arrested and convicted of disorderly behaviour in connection with the incident.
02 May 2018
Senior PSNI Officers Cleared In Ombudsman Probe
Two senior PSNI officers have been cleared of allegations into alleged misconduct in public office. Chief Constable George Hamilton and Deputy Drew Harris were among a number of officers being investigated by the Police Ombudsman.
Senior PSNI Officers Cleared In Ombudsman Probe
Two senior PSNI officers have been cleared of allegations into alleged misconduct in public office. Chief Constable George Hamilton and Deputy Drew Harris were among a number of officers being investigated by the Police Ombudsman.
20 February 2009
Omagh Bomb Officers Cleared
There will be no criminal action taken against two PSNI officers incorrectly accused of lying during the Omagh bomb trial by the judge. After news that they have been effectively cleared, there has been a call for an official apology. DUP Policing Board member Ian Paisley Jnr believes both officers now deserve an apology.
Omagh Bomb Officers Cleared
There will be no criminal action taken against two PSNI officers incorrectly accused of lying during the Omagh bomb trial by the judge. After news that they have been effectively cleared, there has been a call for an official apology. DUP Policing Board member Ian Paisley Jnr believes both officers now deserve an apology.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
