Police say ‘violent dissident republicans’ planted bomb under officer’s car in Belfast

Police have condemned ‘anti-peace’ dissident republicans who placed an improvised bomb under a serving officer’s car at an east Belfast golf club.

A tournament being held at the Shandon Park Golf Club was cancelled and evacuated of at least 70 people.

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Detective Superintendent Sean Wright said: ‘Our belief is that this attempted murder was carried out by violent dissident republicans.

‘They don’t care who they attack, they don’t care who they kill. They are simply anti-peace and anti-democracy.’

The golf course is close to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) headquarters.

Club member Alan Paterson said an individual leaving the course noticed something under the car before police were alerted.

He added: ‘Within several minutes the police arrived and identified the object and said that they felt it was viable and that they should immediately evacuate the clubhouse and surrounding area, and also get everybody else off the golf course.

‘It is very disappointing that things have been disrupted.

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‘We are delighted that if it was a viable device the person concerned was not injured or worse, so that is a big plus for everybody.

‘We are a very mixed club. It is east Belfast, yes, but it is a mixed club and this sort of thing should not happen – it just should not happen.’

It is understood the car park area is covered by CCTV and footage will be scrutinised by detectives.

Mark Lindsay, chairman of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland which represents officers, said: ‘We condemn this attack to murder a police officer. Someone whose sole role is to serve the community.

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‘Our thoughts are very much with this officer and his family in what are very traumatic circumstances, and would once again call on all sections of our community to isolate these terrorists who still have nothing to offer.’

Police and army bomb disposal experts attended the scene and a robot was used to investigate the device.

The car park was packed with the vehicles of golfers attending a vice-captain’s day tournament.

Members had planned to watch Saturday evening’s Champions League football final at the clubhouse.

Mr Paterson added: ‘A disappointing day, it was nice to plan but it is not going to happen.’

Democratic Unionist Stormont Assembly member Joanne Bunting said it was a busy club with many golfers and social members on the premises, which is surrounded by residential communities.

‘It would be absolutely reckless for anyone to target such a busy area with an explosive device,’ she added.

‘Whether or not this is a viable device remains to be seen but either way we should recognise the alertness and swift response of all involved.

‘Nevertheless, it will have caused disruption, inconvenience and worry.’