Man, 66, charged with several offences including attempted murder after attack on police station

Oliver Partridge
Fri, 01 May 2026 16:43:53 +0000

A 66-year-old man has been charged with several offences including attempted murder following an attack on Dunmurry Police Station.

The incident saw a male delivery driver seized by new IRA attackers in the Twinbrook district of west Belfast on Saturday.

The assailants placed an explosive device in his vehicle before forcing him to drive to the police station with the intention to inflict casualties – of which there were none.

The car detonated outside the facility while an evacuation was underway, sparking widespread condemnation from political figures in the UK and Irish governments.

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The New IRA subsequently claimed responsibility for the bombing in a statement issued to Irish News.

This incident came just weeks after a comparable attack targeting the Lurgan police station, although on that occasion the device failed to detonate.

Prior to the new charges, detectives investigating the Dunmurry bombing secured court approval for an additional 36 hours to interview a suspect.

The suspect was detained on Tuesday under the Terrorism Act, then transported to Musgrave Serious Crime Suite for questioning.

Police also carried out searches in both east and west Belfast as part of their investigation.

Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn confirmed he had received a briefing from the Police Service of Northern Ireland regarding the incident, noting that officers are collaborating closely with security partners.

"You will have seen an arrest has already been made and searches have been conducted in east and west Belfast," he said in an earlier statement.

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He emphasised the entire Northern Ireland community bears responsibility for combating the dissident republican threat.

"If there is anyone that has any information whatsoever that can assist the police in bringing those who did this to account, please contact the PSNI," he urged.

"This is a responsibility on the whole of the community of Northern Ireland to leave no stone unturned to defeat this threat."

The Northern Ireland Secretary stressed both the Dunmurry and Lurgan incidents endangered the lives of police officers and civilians alike, adding: "We are resolute in our commitment to find those responsible."

Irish Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan pledged the "absolute co-operation" of police in investigating the car bomb attack.

The man now charged contends with several offences, including attempted murder, possessing explosives with intent to endanger life or cause serious injury to property, causing an explosion likely to endanger life or cause serious injury to property, possession of articles for use in terrorism, and hijacking.

He is expected to appear before Lisburn Magistrates’ Court on Saturday.