Dissident Republicans are under suspicion after the discovery of a massive bomb in Newry – bigger than the device which killed 29 people in Omagh in 1998.
Viable devices and explosives were also discovered in North Belfast on Saturday in a massive security operation.
The first bomb alert in Newry uncovered a 600lb device in an abandoned van, twice the size of the Omagh bomb.
Two more alerts followed in Belfast as police reacted to a step-up in dissident Republican activity.
The Newry bomb was made safe by British Army experts in an operation that took over 36 hours. Local police chiefs said the device was larger than first feared and could have led to a major loss of life and destruction if detonated.
Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) District Commander Chief Superintendent Alasdair Robinson said: “The device contained two blue barrels with 125kg of homemade explosives in each one, and a detonator - all the equipment which meant this device was ready to go.
“This was a very significant device. If this had exploded it would have caused devastation.
“To put it in perspective - anyone within 50 metres of this device would have been killed and anyone within 100 metres, seriously injured.”
Local Ulster Unionist parliament member Danny Kennedy claimed the device was designed to kill PSNI officers.
“The scale of the bomb suggests an attempt at a major attack by dissident republicans has been prevented,” said Kennedy.
“Clearly this was an attempt to lure a police patrol into that area, with potentially lethal consequences.
“These dissidents are dangerous and dedicated terrorists, who are determined to cause serious harm, injury and death to members of the security forces regardless of the consequences to local communities.”
Smaller devices were located and diffused in North Belfast where police also found arms and ammunition during searches.
North Belfast PSNI Chief Inspector Ian Campbell said: “Those responsible for this have shown callous disregard for members of the public.
“The operation resulted in the evacuation of up to 80 people, including families with young children and elderly residents, for several hours.
“The finger of suspicion points towards dissident republican terrorists and I appeal to anyone with information to come forward to police.”
District Chief Superintendent George Clarke told the Irish Times: “The actions of police have undoubtedly thwarted the attempts of criminals to inflict death, injury and misery on the community of north Belfast.
“Police are determined to protect communities from these threats.”
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.barneyjo | Apr 30, 2012, 06:51 PM EDT
@fuiseog - Let me remind you of the maxim "You should never encourage others to do something that you yourself are not prepared to do" If you feel so strongly about it, join in; commit totally to the values you espouse in your post. So, come on; get off your Boston Barstool (or wherever) and come to Ireland and do what you think is necessary. One thing.......be prepared to put up with your own company....... oh and book a return ticket, just in case :)
RedBranch | Apr 30, 2012, 02:57 PM EDT
A future First / Deputy First Minister at work here...
STEVENSTAR | Apr 30, 2012, 11:42 AM EDT
@@@@Bythebay | Apr 30, 2012, 09:41 AM EDT >>>>>>>>>>>> MOST PEOPLE ON HERE ARE AMERICAN IM IRISH THATS WHY I COME ON HERE TO COMMENT AND TO GIVE MY OPIONAS AN IRISHMAN WHO WAS BORN HERE LIVES HERE AND NOT ONE OF THESE PLASTIC AMERICAN PADDIES WHO SEEM TO BE ANTI BRITISH ANTI EUROPE AND ANTI EVERYTHING ABOUT THE IRISH IN THE YEAR 2012 ... THEY WANT TO KEEP US IN SOME TIME WARP OF OLDEN DAYS GONE BY AND AUNTY MARY IN THE FAMINE WITH THE DONKEY BRINGING IN THE TURF... WELL IM HERE TO TRY EDUCATE THEM TO IRELAND IN 2012
STEVENSTAR | Apr 30, 2012, 11:41 AM EDT
@@@@Bythebay | Apr 30, 2012, 09:41 AM EDT >>>>>>>>>>>> MOST PEOPLE ON HERE ARE AMERICAN IM IRISH THATS WHY I COME ON HERE TO COMMENT AND TO GIVE MY OPIONAS AN IRISHMAN WHO WAS BORN HERE LIVES HERE AND NOT ONE OF THESE PLASTIC AMERICAN PADDIES WHO SEEM TO BE ANTI BRITISH ANTI EUROPE AND ANTI EVERYTHING ABOUT THE IRISH IN THE YEAR 2012 ... THEY WANT TO KEEP US IN SOME TIME WARP OF OLDEN DAYS GONE BY AND AUNTY MARY IN THE FAMINE WITH THE DONKEY BRINGING IN THE TURF... WELL IM HERE TO TRY EDUCATE THEM TO IRELAND IN 2012
Bythebay | Apr 30, 2012, 09:41 AM EDT
seamus60, you obviously don't live in either Ireland or Northern Ireland and don't have to suffer what these IRA terrorists continue to do not to mention the 30 years of US funded terrorism in Northern Ireland, Ireland and England. Regarding 1916, there was a Home Rull Bill for Ireland passed by the British Parliament in 1912. It was interrupted by WWI but promised at the end of the War. It would more probably not have resulted in the partition of Ireland agreed by Michael Collins.
DanOLoingsigh | Apr 30, 2012, 06:47 AM EDT
Fact is, we don’t have an island nation; rather one island and two nations, or tribes, or whatever term we choose to delineate the two major groups…we don’t need to go over recent history to know that most on the island do not want roadside bombs, for the logical reason that they or their loved ones may become victims of such devices, not to mention the cost in jobs and tourism if we go back to those days… Local SF MLA and Stormont minister Conor Murphy said the bomb was part of a pattern of “sporadic activity designed to keep the dissidents in the headlines”…I guess his opinion carries a certain weight?
IrelandNorth | Apr 30, 2012, 06:14 AM EDT
Defaming prominent peace process sponsors held in high regard by both sides is unhelpful. Proprietorial geographicalised terminology to retrace racial commonlineage is dubious. Nationalist Ireland and republican Ireland are not necessarily coterminous, though there is considerable overlap - as with Ulster unionism and loyalism - the essential distinction being socioeconomic class. Fact is, we don't know what the majority of our island nation feel. They haven't been canvassed. Perhaps British military intelligence planted the bombs to defame armed resistance to the British state? PSNI criminalisation of Irish repubicanism threatens the peace process, which probably woundn't exist had it not been for the IRA. This is a struggle between political puritanism and pragmatism. If violence is the language of the unheard, should we not be listening more attentively.
seamus60 | Apr 29, 2012, 07:09 PM EDT
Stevenstar. Your sentiment is very simular to that used against Republicans in 1916 and ever since come to think of it.
Bythebay | Apr 29, 2012, 06:44 PM EDT
pilib04, the IRA terrorists also attempted to murder the parents of a Catholic PSNI officer in recent weeks. They live in a Catholc area of Derry.
Bythebay | Apr 29, 2012, 06:40 PM EDT
PhlutiePhan, most of the IRA weapons came from the US or Libya, of course there are still lots remaining from their 30 years of terrorism.
peterson | Apr 29, 2012, 06:22 PM EDT
These mentally challenged should "get a life" , not take one !!
EphraimKibbey | Apr 29, 2012, 05:56 PM EDT
@PhlutiePhan - not necessarily! If it was in drums and the perimeter of distruction was as described, the bomb probably was similar to what was used by McVey and Nichols at the Murrow FBI mass murder here in the US. Our own home grown terrorists are said to be on the rise again. The FBI traced all the ingredients back to common farming materials that are available to purchase by anyone. That makes it all the more scary. I do not know who will claim responsibility for the Belfast bombs but Irishmen blowing up Irishmen hasn't solved anything in the past and much more is to be gained from talking than by violence. The violence just turns their friends and supporters against them.
cynicus | Apr 29, 2012, 05:36 PM EDT
Idiots and morons! What do they want- to murder dozens more men women, children and babies in the womb. These are the devil's disciples and deserve all they get. This behaviour is a dark, satanic stain on the fair name of Ireland. And those who make excuses for this cowards behaviour should be shunned and boycotted.
pilib04 | Apr 29, 2012, 04:20 PM EDT
The so-called dissidents murdered Ronan Kerr, a GAA, Catholic, PSNI officer. That was the end of the discussion with the dissidents, from my point of view. There is nothing left to talk about. They can surrender their arms and come in, but there is nothing to negotiate with them.
STEVENSTAR | Apr 29, 2012, 02:19 PM EDT
AS AN IRISHMAN LIVING IN CORK SOUTHERN IRELAND IM SURE MOST OF US IN IRELAND NORTH AND SOUTH WOULD AGREE WHEN WE SAY THESE TINY MINORITY OF PEOPLE ARE THE ABSOLUTE LOWEST FORM OF 'S C U M ' LIVING IN IRISH SOCIETY ..
Bythebay | Apr 29, 2012, 01:58 PM EDT
Sparklet, these are the same people whose 30 years of terrorism was supported and well funded by many in the US which accomplished nothing. They don't want peace. They don't want an inclusive community. They don't want Catholics joining the PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland). There are still those who erroneously are supporting them in the name of some kind of misguided Irish nationalism. They do not act or speak for the majority of people in Northern Ireland or in Ireland. We all want peace and for the terrorists to go away.
PhlutiePhan | Apr 29, 2012, 12:53 PM EDT
Six hundred pounds is quite a large device. The use of that amount means that there is plenty more where than came from. And where did that come from? Some country is funnelling in massive amounts of explosives. Supposedly in any amount of explosive, there are tiny platic markers to trace its method of origin. If there are no markers, then that in and of itself will tell you where it came from. There are other forensics to trace the background of an explosive. The provisionals are still in operation and evidently they have connections to Iran which pass on "little goodies" which they received from China.
Sparklet | Apr 29, 2012, 12:20 PM EDT
Who do these people think they're acting on behalf of? Because it's not the majority of people of the 32 counties, that's for sure. Which makes them no different to a dictatorship?
FallsRNat | Apr 29, 2012, 11:21 AM EDT
the nationalist people on the island of ireland are not weak, it's just that they have had enough violence, the mainstram republicans have given up the armed struggle, it's difficult for a few, but how many times do the people of this island have to say no for these people to understand.
citizen69 | Apr 29, 2012, 11:09 AM EDT
@SeamusMor: A more likely scenario involves a drug cartel? Not likely at all. I've yet to hear of drugs dealers, human traffickers or smugglers planting a 600lb bomb in Northern Ireland. No doubt some Republican group will take pride in admitting they planted the potentially devastating device. These people have the same twisted, narrow-minded logic of fuiseog (below).
luxefaire | Apr 29, 2012, 11:06 AM EDT
false flag terrorism has reached epic proportions in the world today...whether the terrorism happens as planned, or is nipped in the bud, the result is the same, blame is put on a chosen scapegoat, and perception management, the true goal, is achieved. I would think that with the influx of immigrants like the orientals and the africans and all the others who are replacing the genetics of europe, that european people might find some solidarity amongst themselves, but it seems they are still prey to the israeli influences who, through the money, have taken control of nearly all government and schooling worldwide. I think this is mossad warming up for the olympics, they will do some nasty stuff, those damned zionists, and blame it elsewhere, to justify their police state....it is this way now in America....remember, once, long ago, the people of the british isles were one and the same...the inability of the celtic races to cease squabbling and to make amends and get to work pretty well illustrates what has become of our once great people.....b
seagreen | Apr 29, 2012, 10:44 AM EDT
The Clintons ?? This is the doings of the Clintons??? Your car battery is dead. I'm sure that is the fault of that lying no good Obama !!!
irishpjk | Apr 29, 2012, 10:30 AM EDT
I though the Clintons worked out all the problems in Northern Ireland? Or is this just another lie from that administration that the liberal press spread as fact.
fuiseog | Apr 29, 2012, 10:26 AM EDT
A long time ago, an Irish patriot said; As long as the English keep an army of occupation in Éireann, an Irish army will rise to resist it. Today the resistance is weak, the populace is deceived, uninformed, have no historical prospective and have assumed the rhetoric of the enemy; the occupation forces are now, "Security forces" The six Counties, Northern Ireland, etc. There would be no need for crude attempts by a forlorn few, if the entire Irish Nation stood up for their right to their own nationality and human rights. If the people of Ireland took their case to the UN, a solution could be found; there is no statute of limitations on genocide. All we need is the knowledge, the morale courage and the will
SeamusMor | Apr 29, 2012, 10:17 AM EDT
There is no reported evidence of "dissident republicans" being behind the bomb discovered in Newry, just the accusation. Why not drugs dealers, or human traffickers, or smugglers? Criminals are just as likely to want to kill police as revolutionaries, and disguising themselves behind an IRA tactic could be their way of avoiding detection. Its hard to imagine any logic behind the bomb in terms of its potential for effecting political change. A more likely scenario involves a drug cartel frustrated by an honest, dedicated, and uncorruptible PSNI, who have resorted to these extreme measures in an attempt to intimidate them into opening the border for their illicit trade.