MI5 blamed for bomb alert ‘spookery’

The Republican Network for Unity has said it is combating hoax bomb alerts in west Belfast, which they have blamed on British military intelligence ‘spooks’.

“In the last week alone working people, parents and school children have had their lives severely disrupted by more ‘hoax bombs’ in the Lower Falls area,” they said in a statement.

“The latest one in Divis appeared strategically timed and placed to create not only maximum disruption but also frustration within the community.”

They said an admitted informer for the PSNI Special Branch had revealed his handlers had encouraged him to create hoax alerts across West Belfast “and the result was a wave of local condemnation directed towards republicanism from the media and local press”.

“The hand of British intelligence is at play in these hoax and non-hoax alerts, be it the PSNI, Special Branch or MI5, and in recent years republicans have fallen victim to their black propaganda.

“Republican Network for Unity are asking the people of West Belfast and beyond to keep an open mind as to who is behind the recent disruption and refuse to be influenced by British spookery.”

The PSNI have insisted that “safety” was their “primary concern” following the decision to close Belfast’s main road for several hours on Monday, September 1.

They said a device was found taped to a lamp-post on Cullingtree Road in west Belfast, causing it to close the Westlink motorway in both directions.

Although the device, later found to be a hoax, appeared to be relatively small, PSNI decided to close both sides of the busy road.

The closure lasted four-and-a-half hours and caused huge disruption for commuters and residents who were forced to evacuate their homes.

Urgent Appeal