Car bomb at police station intended “to kill officers and cause maximum harm” as leaders condemn attack

A car bomb detonated outside a Northern Ireland police station late on Saturday night was designed “to kill officers and cause maximum harm”, prompting widespread condemnation and renewed warnings that the threat from dissident groups remains real.

The explosion occurred at the gates of the station in the Kingsway area of Dunmurry, on the outskirts of Belfast, on the night of April 25, after a vehicle used in the attack had been hijacked earlier that evening.

The Northern Ireland Policing Board Chair, Brendan Mullan, said the device had been deliberately positioned to inflict maximum casualties in what he described as a reckless act carried out in a residential area.

“This explosive device was sent to kill officers and cause maximum harm in an attack which was in the heart of a residential area,” he said.

“Those responsible had callous disregard for people living close to the station and who so easily could have been caught up in this explosion.

“It is a miracle no one was seriously injured and we thank the officers, ATO and emergency services who initially responded, and have been working to ensure everyone’s safety since.”

Mr Mullan highlighted that the attack marks the second incident targeting a police station in recent weeks, calling the situation “depressing” and warning that such violence stands in direct opposition to the principles endorsed by the public under the Good Friday Agreement.

“The people have spoken when they overwhelmingly endorsed the Good Friday Agreement. Such acts of violence have no place in a society committed to peace,” he added.

He urged anyone with information to contact police on 101 or anonymously through the Crimestoppers charity.

Political leaders condemn ‘cowardly’ and ‘shameless’ attack

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn MP described the incident as “appalling”, condemning what he called a “shameless and cowardly attack” on police officers.

“This was a shameless and cowardly attack on the brave men and women who work so hard to keep our communities safe in Northern Ireland,” he said.

“I urge anyone with information about who was responsible to contact the PSNI.”

O’Neill: “Those behind attack speak for no one” as First Minister vows Northern Ireland will keep moving forward

First Minister Michelle O’Neill said those behind the attack “speak for absolutely no one”, adding that communities across Northern Ireland reject violence.

“They have no vision, no support, and have nothing to offer our society,” she said.

“Our communities deserve peace.

“No one is going to deny our young people and future generations that.

“We will keep progressing and we will keep moving forward to a better future.”

She confirmed she had been in contact with local representatives to offer solidarity and support to those affected.

Deputy First Minister condemns attack and warns against return to past

Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly has strongly condemned the attack, describing it as an assault on the rule of law and a reminder of the dangers posed by those seeking to destabilise society.

“I am appalled that there has been another attack directed at the PSNI.

“The rule of law is the very foundation of any society. Policing is necessary for both the protection of the law and the protection of all across Northern Ireland.

“I utterly condemn these attacks and all those behind them. These acts of terrorism are as wrong today as they were in the past. They demonstrate there are still people who want to drag Northern Ireland back, and who want to bring death and destruction to our streets.

“This is not the future, it is the worst dregs of our past.”

Mrs Little-Pengelly confirmed she has been in direct contact with the Chief Constable following the incident and will remain in close liaison with the PSNI throughout the day.

Residents evacuated as community impact becomes clear

The explosion triggered evacuations in the surrounding residential area, with local people forced from their homes amid safety concerns following the blast.

Alliance representative Shay Fox said the attack had caused “great disruption and shock” to the community.

“This is incredibly disturbing news to wake up to on Sunday morning, and my immediate thoughts are with all those who have been affected,” he said.

“Those responsible for this barbaric attack on the local community must be robustly condemned. They show no regard for human life and only seek to spread fear and heighten division.

“This bomb could have caused serious damage, particularly as it was in a built-up area.”

He added that the community in Dunmurry stands united in rejecting such violence.

Warnings of ongoing threat from dissident groups

Several political leaders pointed to the continued threat posed by dissident republican groups, despite years of sustained law enforcement efforts.

Ulster Unionist MLA Jon Burrows said the attack was “almost certainly committed by dissident republicans”, describing it as “cowardly criminality”.

“Whilst these terrorists have been heavily degraded by effective law enforcement, they retain some capacity and still harbour the intent to maim, murder and destroy,” he said.

“The PSNI are often the target of these dissident groups, but these groups don’t care who else gets hurt or traumatised.

“They are desperate, depraved and morally bankrupt gangsters seeking to drag Northern Ireland back to darker days. They will fail, just as their predecessors did.”

Mr Burrows also referenced the wider human impact, including those evacuated, the victim of the car hijacking, and victims of past terrorism who may be retraumatised by such incidents.

Calls for vigilance as pattern of incidents emerges

DUP Leader Gavin Robinson MP warned against complacency, pointing to a recent serious security incident in Lurgan just four weeks earlier.

“The reports of a car explosion outside Dunmurry Police Station are deeply concerning and the full facts must now be established as a matter of urgency,” he said.

“If this was another attempt by dissident republicans to intimidate communities and target the police, then it must be met with the full force of the law.”

He raised concerns about whether the incident reflects “reckless one-upmanship between dissident groupings or part of a wider pattern”.

“They want to drag Northern Ireland backwards and to undermine stability and confidence in the rule of law,” he said.

“There can be no complacency when it comes to national security.”

TUV leader Jim Allister MP also condemned the attack, suggesting its timing may not be coincidental and calling for those responsible to be “hunted down”.

“Whatever of the timing, this terrorist act, though fortunately it did not claim any lives, is just as vile and requiring of a vigorous policing response as every other such attack,” he said.

“Those who bring terror to our streets need hunted down, with no room for equivocation or justification - just as there never was in the past.”

Investigation ongoing as appeals for information issued

Police have not yet confirmed who was responsible, but the incident is being treated as a serious security attack, with investigations ongoing.

Authorities have reiterated calls for the public to come forward with any information that could assist inquiries, urging anyone with details to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously.

The attack, which unfolded in a busy residential setting, has intensified concerns around public safety and the continued risk posed by dissident activity, even as political leaders stress that the overwhelming majority of people across Northern Ireland remain committed to peace.

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At a glance

• Car bomb exploded outside Dunmurry police station on April 25

• Vehicle used in attack had been hijacked earlier that evening

• No serious injuries reported, described as “a miracle”

• Residents in surrounding area were evacuated

• Second incident targeting a police station in recent weeks

• Political leaders across parties strongly condemned the attack

• Dissident republicans suspected by multiple representatives

• Recent similar security incident in Lurgan referenced

• Public urged to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously