OMEN
01-31-2009, 09:40 PM
A 300lb car bomb has been found in Castlewellan, County Down, on Saturday.
It follows a five-day security alert when a telephoned warning on Tuesday claimed a bomb had been left in the village.
Security forces discovered an abandoned car on the Dublin Road and several controlled explosions were carried out on what police called "suspect items".
Supt Greg Blain said those responsible had shown a "callous disregard" for people's lives.
It is thought the car-bomb was abandoned by dissident republicans, who were trying to target the Ballykinler army base.
"They planted a large viable device in a car, abandoned it in an area close to local houses and schools, and then phoned through vague warnings about the locality and nature of the threat," said Supt Blain.
"They placed the lives of every man, woman and child in the area at risk and simply have nothing to offer society."
A police spokesperson said the forensic and clean-up operation may take another few hours.
BBC
It follows a five-day security alert when a telephoned warning on Tuesday claimed a bomb had been left in the village.
Security forces discovered an abandoned car on the Dublin Road and several controlled explosions were carried out on what police called "suspect items".
Supt Greg Blain said those responsible had shown a "callous disregard" for people's lives.
It is thought the car-bomb was abandoned by dissident republicans, who were trying to target the Ballykinler army base.
"They planted a large viable device in a car, abandoned it in an area close to local houses and schools, and then phoned through vague warnings about the locality and nature of the threat," said Supt Blain.
"They placed the lives of every man, woman and child in the area at risk and simply have nothing to offer society."
A police spokesperson said the forensic and clean-up operation may take another few hours.
BBC