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Ex-RUC man was pipe bomb target

Wednesday, 11 January 2012

Two bomb disposal vehicles attend as the Mark Street/Milltown area is ‘sealed off’ during a weekend viable pipe bomb alert.

EX-RUC officers have been warned to take extra security precautions after a former officer was the target of a pipe bomb discovered in the Milltown area of Dungannon on Saturday.
The former officer and his family, who have asked not to be identified, said that the device was discovered hidden behind a rose bush near to his vehicle on Saturday. They add that the placement of the bomb beside the driver's door of the vehicle showed clearly who its intended target was.
It is not clear how long the bomb, which was discovered at midday on Saturday, had been there. A number of residents living in the area were evacuated and roads were closed as Police and Army Technical Officers took steps to make the device safe.
One of the former officer's family members said: "The former RUC officer was out trimming rose bushes at the side of the garage and noticed a bag set at the back of the bush and knew straight away."
Householders were allowed to return to their properties at about 5.40pm with Police officers thanking them for their patience.
The incident comes just days after an off-duty soldier in north Belfast escaped a sophisticated attack when a bomb was left beside his car.
Ulster Unionist MLA Tom Elliott, who has an office in the area, said it was "very concerning".
The Assemblyman told the Courier: "It is very concerning, especially that people are keeping such a close watch on not just current but also former members of the security forces."

Mr Elliott added that as a former soldier, the security threat was "at the back of your mind all the time".
“I would certainly urge former members of the security forces to be vigilant and I have been dealing with a number of them over the last year in relation to their own security. They would say, and I would often agree with them, that the help they get is quite limited."
The UUP leader added that people of Dungannon and the surrounding areas must look out for their neighbours and report anything suspicious to police.
Dungannon town Councillor Lord Morrow MLA has also condemned those responsible. He told the Courier: "Those involved displayed absolutely no concern for the safety or regard of residents who had to be evacuated from their homes whilst security forces dealt with what transpired to be a viable device. This was done to create the maximum inconvenience in the area whilst holding a community to ransom during the investigation.
“There has clearly been an upsurge in this kind of activity across Northern Ireland and in the Dungannon area in particular. Those behind it need to be brought before the courts. I completely refute Gerry Kelly's suggestion that dialogue with terrorist thugs will bring about a change in mindset, whilst their criminal deeds are conveniently swept under the carpet.
“A cosy chat with disillusioned, dangerous republicans is neither justice nor deterrent. Mr Kelly would serve his community much better if he endorsed calls for such terrorists to be brought before the courts and taken out of society. He should be urging his community to give their full support to the Police."
The DUP Assemblyman added that residents were "sick, sore and tired" of these incidents.
“Regarding the Milltown incident it was totally unacceptable to for the lives of residents to be disrupted in this manner, and I commend them for their patience and co-operation, as well as those who opened their doors to accommodate people who had to leave their homes.
“I have spoken to Police about this matter and would urge anyone with information to pass it on to investigating officers. Right-thinking citizens are sick, sore and tired of this behaviour and as usual they are the innocent victims who get caught up in such actions."
Anyone who has any information is asked to contact detectives at Dungannon on 0845 600 8000. Or, if someone would prefer to provide information without giving their details, they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111.
The pipe bomb attack is the second such incident in Dungannon in as many months.
In a separate incident, residents were evacuated in nearby Moygashel after a suspicious device was found at the Moygashel Mills Park on December 23.
That device was also viable, according to Police.

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