PSNI release footage of officers evacuating homes in Dunmurry as bomb detonates

Dramatic footage released by the Police Service of Northern Ireland shows officers running door-to-door to evacuate residents in Dunmurry moments before a bomb detonated outside a police station, as an attempted murder investigation continues into what has been described as a reckless attack that could have claimed multiple lives.

The video captures officers placing themselves directly in harm’s way, clearing homes and bringing residents to safety as the explosive device ignited in a residential area on Saturday night, April 25, an incident that left a delivery driver traumatised and families, including those with young children, forced to flee.

Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said the footage highlights the “incredible, brave police officers who rushed towards danger to make sure they evacuated those residents from the harm caused by this device,” confirming that the investigation is being led by the PSNI’s Terrorist Investigation Unit.

Second attack in weeks as attempted murder probe begins

The Dunmurry incident marks the second attack on a police station in less than a month, following a serious security incident in Lurgan four weeks earlier, raising renewed concerns about dissident activity and the ongoing threat to communities.

Chief Constable Boutcher said:

“I will begin by condemning the reckless and dangerous attack in Dunmurry on Saturday night. This is the second such attack in less than a month.

“My thoughts are with the delivery driver, of colleagues I’ve mentioned, of those local residents who had fear brought to their doors. But also to the incredible, brave police officers who rushed towards danger to make sure they evacuated those residents from the harm caused by this device.

“We have commenced an attempted murder investigation which will be led by our Terrorist Investigation Unit and we are at the early stages of that investigation. But this will not deter the Police Service of Northern Ireland, which is an incredible organisation, from doing what it’s here to do, and that is protect our communities.”

He added:

“This attack will achieve absolutely nothing but unify condemnation by everyone, and the arrest and prosecution of those responsible. This was a deliberate, reckless and stupid attack that endangered so many people’s lives.

“The coercion of an innocent delivery driver and the placing of an explosive device in a residential area, shows complete disregard and stupidity, and brought danger to so many people. Today we have also released footage showing our officers placing themselves in harms way evacuating homes as the bomb detonated.”

Residents, including babies, evacuated as device explodes

Police confirmed that local residents, including two young babies, were taken to safety by officers who entered homes and evacuated families as the device detonated nearby.

Chief Constable Boutcher said:

“This was not just an attack aimed at our incredible police officers and staff, this was an attack against everybody in society. These are mindless idiots, risking lives of not only local residents that included two young babies, who were taken into the safe custody of a police station by our courageous officers who ran to this fear and into residents’ houses to protect them.

“I want to acknowledge, especially the courage and professionalism of those officers, who responded so quickly and so professionally, to this cowardly attack, and undoubtedly saved lives.”

He added that the attack involved “the coercion of an innocent delivery driver” and warned it demonstrated “complete disregard” for human life.

Appeal for information as investigation intensifies

Police have issued a direct appeal to the public as part of the ongoing investigation.

Chief Constable Boutcher said:

“Again, I would appeal to anybody with any information about the people responsible to please contact us, before these people actually harm or kill somebody. Please contact us if you know somebody. Even if you think you might know who is responsible, please reach out to the PSNI, before they actually do kill somebody.”

Northern Ireland Policing Board Chair Brendan Mullan also urged the public to come forward, stating:

“Anyone with information about those responsible is urged to report it to the police on 101 on anonymously through the Crimestoppers charity.”

Liam Kelly, Chair of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, added:

“I would directly appeal to the public to assist the PSNI in identifying the offenders so they can quickly and rightly be placed before the courts.”

Political leaders unite in condemnation

The attack has been met with widespread condemnation across the political spectrum, with leaders warning of the potential for loss of life and the impact on local communities.

First Minister Michelle O’Neill said:

“Those behind this reckless attack have put lives in danger and shown a total disregard for the local community.

“Our thoughts are with the delivery driver who was put through an extremely terrifying ordeal as well as those residents who had to be evacuated.

“It is extremely fortunate that nobody was killed or seriously injured by the selfish actions of those who have nothing to offer our society.”

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said:

“Those responsible for this despicable attack put lives at risk. I have no doubt all right-thinking people will reject this sort of behaviour and see it as a cowardly attempt to try and drag us all backwards.

“We would like to commend the police officers for their swift response to this incident, their courage in the face of danger ensured local residents were protected.  We would appeal to anyone with information to contact the PSNI.”

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said:

“I utterly condemn [the] attack on Dunmurry police station. My thoughts are with the local community and with the PSNI officers who work every day to keep people safe. I urge anyone with information to come forward. Those responsible will be brought to justice.”

Secretary of State Hilary Benn said:

“The attack on Dunmurry police station was a cowardly attempt to cause injury and destruction.

“By targeting a police station in the heart of a residential area, those responsible have shown a total disregard for the lives of local people and for the men and women who work to keep our communities safe.

“We are resolute in our commitment to peace, and these actions will only strengthen our collective determination. I would urge anyone with information about who was responsible to come forward to the PSNI.”

Justice Minister Naomi Long said:

“It is simply unconscionable that just a few weeks after the widespread condemnation of the attack in Lurgan that this incident has occurred in Dunmurry.

“Despite the fact that acts of violence such as this have been roundly rejected, lives have once again been put at risk by the actions of a very small minority who offer nothing but devastation and destruction.

“Indeed, it is extremely fortunate that no-one was hurt or even killed as a result of this despicable attack.

“Those behind this attack have demonstrated a total disregard for every single person living in the area.

“My thoughts are with the motorist who has no doubt been left utterly traumatised by their ordeal, as well as the officers who were targeted in this cowardly attack.

“I would like also to pay tribute to those very same officers who, despite the threat they face, continue to turn up to work every day to serve the community.

“My gratitude also goes to the officers who responded to this incident in such a prompt and professional manner.”

Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey said:

“Those involved represent no one, are void of support and have nothing to offer our society.

“They should get off the backs of our communities who want to live in peace and continue moving forward to a better future.

“What is clear is that the overwhelming majority of the public rejects these ridiculous actions and understands they achieve nothing but disruption.”

DUP leader Gavin Robinson said:

“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.

“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.

“Only four weeks ago, Lurgan was the scene of another serious security incident. Whether this is reckless one-upmanship between dissident groupings or part of a wider pattern, the intent is the same. They want to drag Northern Ireland backwards and to undermine stability and confidence in the rule of law.

“These are the actions of neanderthals with nothing to offer society except destruction and division. They will not succeed.

“There can be no complacency when it comes to national security. For too long there has been an assumption that these groups had been broken and rendered incapable by the work of the intelligence services. While enormous credit is due to those agencies for the lives they have protected, incidents like this are a reminder that the threat remains real and demands constant vigilance.

“Our police officers and the wider public should never have to face this kind of danger. Those responsible must be identified and brought before the courts.”

SDLP leader Claire Hanna said:

“I spoke to residents in Dunmurry [on Sunday] after a bomb exploded at the PSNI station. Reckless and pointless by those determined to keep people here trapped in a mindset of conflict and fear. Families disrupted, vital PSNI officers left feeling more at risk and a driver traumatised.”

Ulster Unionist leader Jon Burrows said:

“[The] car explosion in Dunmurry was another display of cowardly criminality, almost certainly committed by dissident republicans. It should be utterly condemned by everyone.

“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.

“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.

“My thoughts are with everyone affected by last night’s car explosion those evacuated from their homes, the victim of the car hijacking, victims of terrorism in the past who will be traumatised by these scenes, and the brave PSNI officers and staff, and their families, who live under the threat of dissident republicans every day.

“I wish the PSNI every success in bringing those responsible to justice and in dismantling the remaining dissident republican gangs.

“Terrorism is wrong. It was always wrong. It will always be wrong.”

TUV leader Jim Allister said:

“It may not be a coincidence that the return of car bombing to Belfast was timed while Sinn Fein, the arch defenders of such IRA tactics, met in the city.

“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.

“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.”

People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll said:

“[Sunday’s] car bomb in Dunmurry has caused a lot of confusion, uncertainty and fear in the area.

“At a time of the week when people are supposed to be resting and relaxing, there is panic and concern. Thankfully, nobody has been seriously injured but it could have been a different story altogether with this completely reckless action.”

Local councillor Michael Collins added:

“For all the deep and real problems that exist in our community, like poverty, inequality and state repression, planting car bombs to explode in a public place offers not a single shred of hope or positive change to people.

“The people of West Belfast don’t want car bombs in their area - nowhere does. This must end.”

Republic of Ireland Minister Helen McEntee said:

“The attack on the Dunmurry PSNI station was a cowardly and reckless attack. It endangered the lives of the public as well as the men and women of the PSNI who serve the whole community every day with courage. I urge anyone with information on this incident to share it with the PSNI.”

Community and policing leaders warn of ongoing threat

Church of Ireland Archbishop John McDowell said:

“This was the second attack on a police station in just under four weeks and I wish to condemn what happened as a clear attempt to maim and murder.

“It was an outrageous, cold and soulless effort that caused considerable distress to local residents.

“Police officers performed heroically in clearing nearby properties and they are to be applauded for their selfless initiative.

“Northern Ireland doesn’t need or want these heartless people. They don’t want the disruption or threat to their families.

“People are getting on with their lives without terrorism holding them back and destroying communities. It is right that all mainstream political parties have roundly condemned what happened, and I add my voice to their sense of rejection and revulsion.

“I thank God no one was injured and offer prayers for those who were traumatised and distressed by this mindless action.”

Northern Ireland Policing Board Chair Brendan Mullan said:

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

“This is the second incident at a police station in recent weeks which is depressing. 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. We stand united in condemnation of those responsible for this terror, and in voicing support for the work of the officers and staff of the PSNI.”

Police Federation Chair Liam Kelly added:

“The car bomb attack on Dunmurry police station was a fruitless and reckless act by desperate no-hopers. This was callous and massively irresponsible. It has caused great upset and generated widespread and justifiable revulsion.

“If you want the definition of madness, then this is no finer example of that. This doesn’t move the needle towards any particular goal. All it does is show that there are still people who want to murder my colleagues and deliver pain and suffering in our communities.

“These faceless cowards are a throwback to the dark ages of the ‘Troubles’. They have no place in the society we are all striving to build – a society free from thuggery and terrorism.

“As a comprehensive police investigation continues, I say to the cowards who hijacked this vehicle and detonated it in a residential area outside a police station to leave the stage. This attack was a fruitless and reckless act by desperate no-hopers. They are morally bankrupt and should be consigned to history.”

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At a glance

• PSNI release footage showing officers evacuating homes as Dunmurry bomb detonates

• Attempted murder investigation underway led by Terrorist Investigation Unit

• Residents, including two babies, evacuated to safety by police

• Delivery driver coerced and left traumatised

• Second attack on a police station in less than a month

• Widespread political and community condemnation across Northern Ireland and UK

• Public urged to contact PSNI on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers