Car Bomb Outside Dunmurry Police Station Condemned as “Reckless and Stupid Attack” by Northern Ireland Police Chief

A car bomb that exploded outside a police station in Dunmurry, west Belfast, has been described as a “deliberate, reckless and stupid attack” by the chief of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), Jon Boutcher, as authorities continue to investigate suspected dissident republican involvement.

The explosion occurred on Saturday night after a delivery driver was hijacked at gunpoint in the Twinbrook area shortly before 22:50 BST. According to police, the man’s vehicle was fitted with a gas cylinder-based explosive device and he was forced to drive it to Dunmurry police station. The bomb detonated while officers were actively evacuating nearby homes, including families with young children.

Addressing a press conference at Stormont, Boutcher praised the “bravery” of officers who he said “rushed towards danger” to clear residents from the area moments before the explosion. He confirmed that the incident is being treated as attempted murder and said dissident republicans are the primary line of inquiry.

First Minister Michelle O’Neill strongly condemned the attack, saying it demonstrated a “blatant disregard for the local community.” She also highlighted the ordeal faced by the hijacked driver, describing it as “extremely terrifying” after he was forced under threat to transport the device to the station.

Deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly also expressed shock at the incident, saying she was “absolutely appalled” and stressing the importance of political unity in condemning violence. She joined other leaders in issuing a joint message of support for police and affected residents.

Policing Board chair Brendan Mullan praised the actions of officers who evacuated homes while the bomb was still a threat, saying their courage stood in “stark contrast” to those who carried out the attack. He condemned the use of coercion against the delivery driver, describing it as an act of cowardice.

Boutcher used the briefing to appeal for public assistance, urging anyone with information to come forward before further attacks occur. He described the perpetrators as “mindless idiots” and warned that such violence could lead to serious injury or loss of life.

The incident has heightened concerns over dissident republican activity in Northern Ireland, where sporadic attacks on security forces have continued in recent years despite the peace process. Police say investigations are ongoing and are focusing on identifying those responsible for planning and executing the bombing.