Post by Harry on Oct 19, 2009 8:24:12 GMT
THE dissident republican splinter group Oglaigh na heireann has claimed responsibility for planting an under-car bomb in east Belfast that injured the girlfriend of a police officer.
Reports to a newspaper have claimed the group, using a recognised codeword, said that it was a mercury tilt-switch-type device designed to cause maximum damage to the passenger side of the vehicle.
This attack is believed to be the first time ONH has used an under-car bomb, suggesting that someone with that expertise may have joined its ranks.
Under-car bombs were widely used during the Troubles by the IRA and INLA, and at a later stage by loyalists.
In its statement, the republican organisation said a serving police officer who works as a dog handler was the intended target.
The 38-year-old woman was pulled from her mangled sports car at 7.30am on Friday and taken to hospital where she was treated for minor injuries.
Last night a PSNI spokeswoman said they were aware of the claim made to a newspaper and investigations are continuing.
"This is an active and robust investigation which is ongoing and we urge anyone with information about the incident to contact police immediately," she said.
The attack, in a quiet residential street just half a mile from PSNI headquarters, is said to signal a change of tactic for dissident republicans.
While ONH claimed responsibility for failed bomb attempts in Co Down and south Armagh, its violence in Belfast has to date been confined to paramilitary-style 'punishment' attacks.
After Friday's murder bid, DUP leader and East Belfast MP Peter Robinson said: "Those responsible have nothing to offer and must face the full rigors of the law."
Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said: "Attempts like this to derail the peace process must not be allowed to succeed."
NIO Security Minister Paul Goggins said the attack was repulsive.
"Mercifully, this woman escaped with minor injuries but those who planted this bomb had murder in mind. They do not care who they kill," he said.
In February 2006, the Independent Monitoring Commission reported that the new republican group, ONH, had been formed, after a split from the CIRA.
At that time the report claimed that ONH was responsible for an assault, several hoax devices and robbery of a post office.
The IMC's 13th report claimed that ONH "has become more dangerously active", citing several pipe bomb attacks and another larger bombing.
These were the first explosive devices ONH had deployed.
The group is believed to have been responsible for an attempted robbery in west Belfast in January, during which a family was held at gunpoint.
In September, it was reported that the group was believed to have been behind the planting of a 600lb bomb close to the Irish border in south Armagh.
Reports to a newspaper have claimed the group, using a recognised codeword, said that it was a mercury tilt-switch-type device designed to cause maximum damage to the passenger side of the vehicle.
This attack is believed to be the first time ONH has used an under-car bomb, suggesting that someone with that expertise may have joined its ranks.
Under-car bombs were widely used during the Troubles by the IRA and INLA, and at a later stage by loyalists.
In its statement, the republican organisation said a serving police officer who works as a dog handler was the intended target.
The 38-year-old woman was pulled from her mangled sports car at 7.30am on Friday and taken to hospital where she was treated for minor injuries.
Last night a PSNI spokeswoman said they were aware of the claim made to a newspaper and investigations are continuing.
"This is an active and robust investigation which is ongoing and we urge anyone with information about the incident to contact police immediately," she said.
The attack, in a quiet residential street just half a mile from PSNI headquarters, is said to signal a change of tactic for dissident republicans.
While ONH claimed responsibility for failed bomb attempts in Co Down and south Armagh, its violence in Belfast has to date been confined to paramilitary-style 'punishment' attacks.
After Friday's murder bid, DUP leader and East Belfast MP Peter Robinson said: "Those responsible have nothing to offer and must face the full rigors of the law."
Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said: "Attempts like this to derail the peace process must not be allowed to succeed."
NIO Security Minister Paul Goggins said the attack was repulsive.
"Mercifully, this woman escaped with minor injuries but those who planted this bomb had murder in mind. They do not care who they kill," he said.
In February 2006, the Independent Monitoring Commission reported that the new republican group, ONH, had been formed, after a split from the CIRA.
At that time the report claimed that ONH was responsible for an assault, several hoax devices and robbery of a post office.
The IMC's 13th report claimed that ONH "has become more dangerously active", citing several pipe bomb attacks and another larger bombing.
These were the first explosive devices ONH had deployed.
The group is believed to have been responsible for an attempted robbery in west Belfast in January, during which a family was held at gunpoint.
In September, it was reported that the group was believed to have been behind the planting of a 600lb bomb close to the Irish border in south Armagh.
