Second Belfast Bomb 'Another Omagh'

A second terrorist bomb has been made safe this week on Belfast's Antrim Road.

Police said they were only able to reopen the area on Thursday evening and for the remaining people who had been moved from their homes to return, although it is understood some businesses were still affected on Friday.

The second device was found behind a scout hall and came after police said on Wednesday that the first bomb - found outside a shop earlier this week - was an "anti-personnel device" designed to kill people.

The PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott said those behind the attacks "had the same recklessness and the same mindset as those that brought about the Omagh tragedy".

"There were hundreds of people who could have been very badly hurt and killed by this device in a busy residential area, where we have children, where we have people going about their normal business," he added.

Also commenting, the Justice Minister David Ford has praised the professionalism of the police operation on the Antrim Road.

The Minister said that the actions of the police and the bomb disposal team over the last three days to protect lives contrasts sharply with those who planted the device, who were intent on causing death and injury.

David Ford said: "To abandon such a lethal device on a main arterial route, close to schools and shops, demonstrates a callous disregard for those who live and work in that area. The fact that their call said the bomb was dangerous speaks for itself.

"Police have said that hundreds of people would have walked past this device since it was planted and it is clear that if it had exploded, it would have resulted in many deaths.

"Such reckless action is beyond belief and it is because of the professionalism of the police and the bomb disposal experts that no-one has been injured," he said, last night.

The Minister also praised those who helped families forced from their homes during the disruption.

"We should not forget the efforts of those who opened their doors to provide support and shelter during the past few difficult days. I am also impressed by the resilience of those who live and work in the area and were so inconvenienced by the bomb."

On Wednesday, about 50 families spent a second night out of their homes as the PSNI Commander in north Belfast said that the ongoing security alert on the city's Antrim Road could only end when it was safe.

Although many other families were able to get access to their homes 24-hours after the initial evacuation, a second object found by police is believed to be a bomb component that may have been part of the original bomb.

This led Chief Superintendent Mark Hamilton to say that making sure the area was safe was a "slow, methodical, painstaking process".

"I wouldn't have taken the steps I have taken if I didn't believe there was an enormous risk, firstly to members of the public and then to my staff.

"There's been people in this community who have deliberately planted a bomb in this area and there only purpose was to murder people.

"Then you add to that the recklessness of leaving a device in an unstable condition which could have exploded," he said.

The Acting Chairman of the Northern Ireland Policing Board has condemned those who recklessly abandoned a bomb close to Antrim Road Police Station.

Brian Rea said: "The police have said that the intended target for this device was police officers. Those behind this bomb have shown complete disregard for the people who live and work in this area and it is very clear from the community reaction that there is absolutely no support for their activities."

Belfast Lord Mayor, Councillor Pat Convery has also strongly condemned those who abandoned a bomb in the Antrim Road for the disruption and trauma that has been caused to local people.

With families initially moved from their homes, traffic disrupted and people facing difficulties going about their daily lives, Councillor Convery said: "These people are attempting to destroy our future by placing what police have now described as a viable, life-threatening device in the heart of a local community.

"Belfast City Council and others are working to improve the future for the thousands who live, work or visit our city. We are trying to encourage investment, help create jobs, provide open spaces and encourage good health.

"The people who abandoned this bomb are trying to undermine all the positive work that is going on in Belfast, and the progress we have made as a city and a society. They are to be totally condemned for their lack of care and respect for a community that is reaching out for, and wants, peace, co-operation and a better quality of life for everyone," he said.

The First Citizen was speaking soon after a local MP also hit out at those responsible for the ongoing alert.

The DUP's Nigel Dodds said: "It is scandalous that some 100 families have been evacuated from their homes.

"I understand that three coded warnings have been received this week, first saying an explosive device had been left in the Antrim Road area, before subsequently specifying the Glandore area.

"This is a grossly irresponsible act designed to cause severe disruption to the residents of this mixed area.

"Those responsible prove only how totally inconsiderate they are of other peoples' well-being and I condemn their actions utterly. It is clear they have nothing to offer society only a return to the fears and disruption of the past," said the DUP politician.

(BMcC/GK)