Belfast bomb: Prison officer injured after explosive device detonates under van

Bomb: the prison officer was thought to be on his way to work when the device detonated
Charles McQuillan/Getty Images
Hannah Al-Othman4 March 2016

A serving prison officer has been injured after a bomb detonated under the van he was driving in east Belfast.

The 52-year-old is in a stable condition in hospital after the explosive device went off just after 7am today.

The explosion happened in the Hillsborough Drive area off the Woodstock Road, a predominantly unionist area of the city.

It is understood the officer was driving to work when the device detonated.

A large cordon was put up around the scene with several streets closed off, and part of a twisted bumper could be seen lying at the side of the road.

An emergency centre was also opened at a nearby Salvation Army centre.

Cordon: roads in the area have been closed
Charles McQuillan/Getty Images

One shop worker said he had heard a "massive" bang at about 7.20am. "I didn't know what it was but it was huge," said the man, who declined to be named.

Detectives are examining whether the bomb dislodged from the vehicle as it was going over a speed bump, lessening the impact of the blast.

Stormont First Minister and Democratic Unionist leader Arlene Foster condemned the incident, calling it a "disgraceful and despicable attack".

Mrs Foster later issued a joint statement with Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.

"This is a despicable and shocking attack," they said.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with this senior prison officer and his family as he is treated for his injuries in hospital.

"We join all right-thinking people in condemning these cowardly actions. As a prison officer, he is someone who serves and protects our community and we are united in our rejection of this attack. Prison service workers have our full support as they play their part in building a peaceful society. The perpetrators offer nothing but hatred and fear.

"We urge anyone with any information on this attack to share it with the PSNI."

East Belfast Assembly member Chris Lyttle said he was outraged, describing the attack as a "sickening echo of the past".

"I am shocked and sickened someone has attempted to take the life of this man," said the Alliance Party representative.

"It is difficult to put into words the contempt every right-thinking member of society will have for those behind this attack. The people responsible offer nothing except death, injury and disruption.

"Those trying to return Northern Ireland to a climate of fear will not be allowed to win. My thoughts and prayers are with those injured by this device, and I would urge anyone with information about this incident to contact police immediately."

NI Prison Service director general Sue McAllister said: "My thoughts are with the officer and his family. This was a despicable act and an attack on us all.

"This officer serves the entire community and whoever was behind this has nothing to offer anyone in Northern Ireland.

"Today we stand side by side together, united as a Service. We will continue to do our jobs, and to serve the whole of Northern Ireland."

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