Car bomb outside Dunmurry police station described as deliberate attack; investigation ongoing

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said she was appalled by the bombing and stressed the importance of united condemnation of the attack.

First Minister Michelle O’Neill said the bomb put people’s lives at risk and showed a blatant disregard for the local community; she described the ordeal as extremely terrifying for the delivery driver.

Brendan Mullan commended the courage of officers who evacuated homes and contrasted their bravery with the 'cowardice' of the delivery driver forced to bring the device to the station.

Police Chief Jon Boutcher described the attack as 'deliberate, reckless and stupid' and praised officers who evacuated nearby homes. He urged anyone with information to contact the PSNI and warned that those responsible could harm others.

At a press conference at Stormont, First Minister Michelle O’Neill, Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, and the Policing Board chair Brendan Mullan condemned the attack and called for unity against violence.

The device exploded outside Dunmurry police station while officers were directing local residents to safety, including families with young babies. The attack occurred in a built-up area near family homes; no one was seriously injured.

The delivery driver was hijacked at gunpoint in Twinbrook, west Belfast, shortly after 22:50 BST on Saturday. His vehicle was then fitted with a gas-cylinder device and ordered to transport the bomb to Dunmurry police station.

A similar attack to the Dunmurry incident occurred at Lurgan police station last month, but the device did not explode.