Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Rebecca Black

Botched Brexit Day bomb pictured as police slam 'reckless' terror plot

Police have released the first pictures of a bomb they believe was intended for a ferry crossing the Irish Sea to the UK in a foiled Brexit night terror plot.

The device, comprising of a number of parts including wires, was recovered by PSNI officers attached to a lorry that dissident republicans had wrongly believed was bound for an Irish Sea ferry.

Police believe there had been a plan to detonate it to mark Brexit on January 31.

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Assistant Chief Constable George Clarke said the "carnage" that could have been caused if the device had exploded was worrying to contemplate

Officers have blamed the Continuity IRA for the botched terror bid last Friday night.

The renegade group entered the yard of a County Armagh-based company specialising in the transportation of frozen goods and attached the bomb to a heavy goods vehicle they thought was destined for a late-night ferry crossing to Scotland.

Police released pictures of the device as they criticised the plotters' 'sheer recklessness' (Irish Mirror)

But officers suspect the dissidents selected the wrong vehicle, as the trailer containing the bomb did not leave its premises in Lurgan on Friday.

The device was finally discovered at the yard on Monday night after an intensive police search operation.

The security alert was initially prompted when the Belfast newspaper the Irish News received a warning on Friday night that a device had been left on a trailer in Belfast docks.

On Friday, the PSNI released two photographs of the device and an appeal for information to assist the investigation.

Detective Superintendent Sean Wright said the images "demonstrate the sheer recklessness" of those behind the plot.

"Today I am releasing two photographs of the device found attached to a heavy goods vehicle in the Silverwood Industrial Estate," he said.

"These images clearly show the explosive device attached to the lorry. They also demonstrate the sheer recklessness of those who knowingly put the driver, road users and the wider public at risk of death or serious injury.

"I continue to appeal to anyone who was in the area of Silverwood Industrial Estate between 4pm and 10pm on Friday January 31 and who may have noticed any unusual activity in the area to contact police.

"In addition I ask that anyone who was driving in the area and who would have dash-cam footage around these same times that they contact police, as a matter of urgency."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.