Belfast bomb: Police carry out controlled explosion as explosive is discovered in Northern Irish capital

'It was clearly placed in a position that was designed to attack police'

(Getty)

A large explosive device was detonated by police after it was found in the busy Belfast area of Ardoyne, prompting a security clampdown and the evacuation of local residents.

News of the bomb threat was initially phoned in to a local priest; the caller suggested that an explosive device had been left close to the junction of the Crumlin Road and Brompton Park near Holy Cross Church.

Army technical officers then carried out a controlled explosion of the cylindrical device.

Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief Superintendent, Nigel Grimshaw said the bomb was aimed at police officers but could have killed anyone in the vicinity.

“It was clearly placed in a position that was designed to attack police who may have been in the vicinity,” he said.

“Without question, even at this stage, I am absolutely convinced it would have killed or seriously injured police had it detonated.”

There are reports that the bomb could have been planted by dissident republicans opposed to the peace process.

Police Chief Constable George Hamilton condemned those responsible.

In a tweet, he described them as “small minded people creating risk for communities as they attempt to kill police officers”.

Sinn Fein MLA Gerry Kelly branded the act as “futile”.

“Thankfully no one has been injured as a result of this reckless action of placing a bomb in a busy built-up area much used by local people for shopping,” he said.

“This incident caused serious disruption all day to the lives of local people and closed off local roads. However, it could have been much worse."

Ulster Unionist representative Andy Allen said:

”The police have described this as an attempt to kill their officers but the inherent instability of such devices meant that the lives of any passers-by were put at risk.

"The people of North Belfast want a future in which they can live peacefully with their neighbours and bring up their families. They certainly do not want bomb attacks or disruption to their daily lives."

AP