Police seek motive for Carryduff bomb

Police seek motive for Carryduff bomb

6 February 2013

POLICE are appealing for help in tracking down terrorists who placed a pipe bomb outside flats in Carryduff at the weekend.

The viable device was found at the door of the flats at Doon Park shortly before 9.30pm on Saturday night.

A number of homes in the area were evacuated and an army bomb disposal team was tasked, but police say no motive has yet been established.

Some bedridden residents in the area, most of whom are pensioners, were unable to leave their homes during the incident.

Neighbours have claimed the flat has been targeted in the past.

Local resident Harold Graham said it had been a frightening experience. It was four-and-a-half hours we were out standing and it was freezing, the neighbours took us in,” he said. “It was a nuisance.

“It’s a nice quiet area round here, so I thought, then this happened. You think it will never happen round your own house. I’m glad the thing didn’t go off, I just hope it’s the last time.”

Ulster Unionist councillor, Michael Henderson, who lives nearby, said residents had been left shaken.

“I think about 20 houses and flats had to be evacuated,” he said. “There was no thought given to neighbours, and most of the residents — I’d say about 85 per cent — are pensioners and many of them have some type of disability.

“Some of the people were bedridden and couldn’t actually leave their homes and I know that a policewoman sat with one lady while the device was made safe.”

Alliance councillor Geraldine Rice said the device could have killed in what was a quiet residential area.

“The people who left this bomb in such a residential area obviously have no regard for the consequences of their actions,” she said. “There can be no justification for the actions of such a callous group of individuals.”

SDLP councillor Brian Hanvey also condemned the incident.

“Whatever the issue is here, quite simply I don’t think a pipe bomb is the answer,” he said.

Detectives at Castlereagh have appealed for information. They can be contacted on 0845 600 8000, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.