Huge bomb marks ‘dissident’ development

A bomb which blew a large crater in a south Armagh road on Saturday was intended for a passing PSNI police patrol.

None of the breakaway IRA groups have so far claimed responsibility for the attack.

The large and powerful roadside bomb was planted deep within a culvert (drain) in a manner used extensively by the Provisional IRA at the height of their campaign.

The bomb went off under a bridge on the Carrickrovaddy Road, between Belleek and Cullyhanna, at around 5.30pm on Saturday, cratering the road and destroying the bridge.

It was an isolated road but subject to regular PSNI patrols. The PSNI said there were none in the area at the time.

The attack took place near the scene of a similar IRA attack which killed three British soldiers in 1976.

The PSNI have again warned that the threat from republican ‘dissidents’ is “extremely high”.

Sinn Fein MP Conor Murphy said it was clear that the bomb could have injured local people - “a fact which the perpetrators seem to have ignored”.

“I would like to invite those who planted this device to explain their reasoning to people,” he said.

“From other recent attacks it would appear that these people do not have a political agenda at all.

“One thing is sure - they do not have the support of the people of this area and I would ask them that they desist from this type of activity immediately.”

Anti-republican lobbyist Willie Frazer cIaimed there was “no doubt whatsoever” that those involved were being helped by former members of the Provisional IRA.

Former IRA leader Brian Keenan once described the culvert bomb as “one of the IRA’s most effective weapons”.

There is speculation that their return could force the PSNI to limit ground patrols in favour of helicopter overflights and electronic monitoring.

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