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LAST UPDATE | 6 Feb 2020
THE PSNI HAS said it believes dissident group the Continuity IRA (CIRA) was behind a bomb plot that saw an explosive device attached to a lorry being found in Co Armagh.
Police say that a media outlet was informed on 31 January that an explosive device was in a lorry in Belfast docks. The report stated that the lorry was due to travel by ferry to Scotland.
Friday 31 January was the day the UK exited the EU.
A thorough search by both the PSNI of Belfast Harbour and Police Scotland found nothing.
Three days later, the same media outlet was informed in another call that the explosive device had been attached to a lorry belonging to a named haulage company.
The more detailed information meant specific searches could be undertaken and around 400 vehicles were checked on 3 February and Tuesday 4 February.
Police say the device was subsequently found attached to a heavy goods vehicle in the Silverwood Industrial Estate near Lurgan in Co. Armagh.
That explosive device was subsequently made safe by explosive experts.
At a police briefing today, Assistant Chief Constable George Clarke said the PSNI “believes that the terrorists responsible were CIRA”.
Clarke said that the second call outlined an intention that the device would explode at midnight on the night of Brexit.
“On Friday evening, a warning or a call was made to a media outlet, indicating that a device had been left in a trailer in Belfast Docks. Subsequent to that call, on Monday evening, a further call was received by a media outlet,” Clarke said.
That call contained substantially more detail, it gave us the detail of a commercial haulage company and it indicated that a device had been left on a vehicle or trailer connected to that company and that the intention had been for that device to explode on Friday evening at around the time the United Kingdom left the EU. So you’ll understand that on Friday we received virtually no information and on a Monday we receive substantially more.
The officer said police believe that at no time did the lorry leave the yard between Friday and Monday but that “the second call indicates an intention on the part of the bombers, that it would have traveled to Belfast”.
Asked about the intention that the lorry was to travel on a ferry, Clarke said: “The first call received on Friday indicated that the device would go on to the midnight ferry. There is no midnight ferry.”
The officer was also asked about the potential damage the explosive could have posed to the ferry should it have got on board. In response, Clake said he wouldn’t comment on “the engineering of the device”.
“I’ll make a very simple point. Anyone who plants a device in a public place is reckless as the consequences of their action, and have the potential to kill or seriously injured people in that area,” he said.
This is an incredibly reckless activity. It’s worth remembering that the terrorists, if the device was planted as we believe on Friday or around that time, it’s between Friday and Monday before they give us the information that enables us to look at this. During that period of time, a viable bomb is in a commercial yard, posing significant risk to anybody who comes within range of it.
“And if we look at the plan that may have existed for this vehicle to be transported on a public road,” he added.
“You can imagine that on a Friday, a Friday afternoon, Friday evening. The roads are extremely busy. There are people coming home from school. Going to and from their work or socialising. So the potential carnage that could be caused by any explosion of any size is simply quite worrying to contemplate.”
DUP leader Arlene Foster said the potential loss of life that could have been inflicted if the device had detonated on board an Irish Sea ferry did not bear thinking about.
“The discovery of this bomb in Lurgan obviously highlighted once again that there are those in Northern Ireland who still attempt to drag us backwards into terrorism and violence,” she said.
“The potential damage which could have been caused and loss of life either here in Northern Ireland, on board a ferry or in Great Britain do not bear thinking about.
“It is significant that information was available which meant police could search the ferry and ensure it was able to sail safely.
“The disruption of such potential attacks can save lives and we owe a huge debt of gratitude to all those working to keep the public safe and thwart the efforts of terrorists.
“It is vital that information continues to be forthcoming and the police are assisted in efforts to bring anyone responsible for such incidents to justice.”
The PSNI is appealing for anyone who was in the Silverwood Industrial Estate between 4.00pm and 10.00pm on Friday 31 January to contact them.
Very interesting. When is Dr Reilly or Mick Wallace getting a visit?
The words ‘Pigs’ and ‘Fly’ come to mind
I presume when there is a court order against them due to be enforced. However I think Steve has already dealt with that point.
Thank you for the information Paul.
I can’t wait for the expose(s),
on reckless lending in our banks,
on NAMA,
on explaining how negative equity percentages in Ireland are multiples of other European countries,
and why the Irish government aren’t holding the real culprits (the banks) accountable as the brave Icelandic government have done.
I think I’ll be waiting.
Join the Anti-Eviction Taskforce presently supporting Seamus Sherlock who has been under threat for 3 weeks.Seamus and his young Family will not be Repossessed.http://www.facebook.com/messages/?action=read&tid=id.148766788597225#!/AntiEvictionTaskforce
In some counties, the Sheriff is also the registar. The Registar creates an Order, then puts on his Sheriffs hat and acts out that Order. This sounds illegal to me. Please go to youtube and look up sheriff portlaoise. Best clip on the net!
Typo error. Meant to say’Registrar’!
Great stuff DMC,
It is illegal, it’s a blatant conflict of intrests. most sheriffs operate as county registar, magistrate and sherrif. where is the seperation of powers to ensure no immoral fiancial gains?
This is all legalese !
they only have power over you if you consent to their “subject matter jurisdiction”
People need to get interested in lay litigation. the bar is a private company. you dont need a lawyer (LIAR!) just education on our Crown laws.
Made a claim through small claims court. Won. They wouldn’t pay because they knew there was no sheriff in Wexford area to enforce it. So much for small claims court; the low cost way of getting some commercial justice. And as for the sheriff system…. Both Useless.
Very interesting article however Brian Lenihan Snr became Minister for Justice in 1964 so either he amended the 1945 Act or he had no involvement. Again very good piece.
Hi Brian,
Nice spot. Have updated now.
Cheers,
Paul
if this recession keeps up and the government/banks keep pissing people off the new number 1 song in ireland could be “I Shot the sheriff” if banks and local councils send them out more and more
If TV and film has taught me anything, its that sheriff’s are totally bad-ass with loads of cannon fodder soldiers. With swords and crossbows!
An excellent low down of who the (Dublin City) sheriff is, what he does and what he can’t do, here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpOTiWWgYdE
Do they wear a ten gallon hat?
Notice to Sheriff and all members of the BAR (British Accredited Registry)
There are no provisions in the Irish Constition for your offices –
Vacate Now!
there are ordinary and revenue sheriffs. same for Dublin and Cork . ordinary sheriff run by courts services and revenue appointed by gov. normally a solicitor. this week due to Galway races no sheriff were available. great job if u cn get it!
save for Dn and Cork
“For doing this they get a fee, known as ‘poundage’, which is set at 5 per cent of the first €5,500 that they seize and 2.5 per cent of the rest. Expenses are also provided for, as laid down in the Sheriff’s Fees and Expenses Order.”
Here’s the great part. WE are the ones that pay this ‘poundage’. I don’t mean by taxes. We are actually required to pay this fee to the sheriff – it’s there on his piece of paper in black and white. I have a ‘warrant’ here with a nice breakdown of what’s owed and there under it all… fees and expenses, billable to me. So not only have we reached rock bottom and these people can break in and steal stuff from us, using force to cause criminal damage if necessary, we also have to pay them to do it! Sure why not make them a cup of tea while they’re here…before they take the kettle? You couldn’t make it up!
Made a claim through small claims court. Won. They wouldn’t pay because they knew there was no sheriff in Wexford area to enforce it. So much for small claims court; the low cost way of getting some commercial justice. And as for the sheriff system…. Both Useless.
This is a great article, very informative another article explaining Bailiffs and how they are appointed and what their functions are would be very useful too. My particular interest in Sheriffs is their role in the democratic process e.g.
Who funds them in their role as city and county returning officers? who pays for the rent of polling stations and presiding officers and polling station staff? How are the staff for these polls recruited? and how transparent and open is this recruitment process? Is this recruitment process open to all citizens and how fair is it to everyone in the current economic environment especially to the unemployed?
Folks,
The office of Sheriff is indeed a tasty subject and one we here are thrashing out in Dundalk and indeed every corner of this island.
Eugene Dooley (ME) was evicted (now back in) from his “home” last October 16th 2012. We have been busy seeking justice for the action of the Sheriff we believe now was illegal. The following document I think you will find interesting as it points out the Sheriffs guidelines for enforcement when collecting “tax” or business debt (commercial??).
Considering my home is neither a business nor is it an investment and I guess we should look at our constitution further to see how we are “all” protected in our homes why are people being evicted at all???
The actions of “Debtoptions” (see them on facebook) have greatly helped my case. Not only am we seeking justice against the bank s, whom continue to ignore my requests and correspondences relating to information which should be available to me, we are also looking at a Mortgage strike through out Ireland.
Also we are pursuing the Sheriff of Louth with vigour, the information thats now available and the litany of unanswered questions have us all very suspect indeed.
We are growing in confidence every day as our ranks swell with people and their0 ever growing base of knowledge.
Knowledge will set us free after all.
For info on,
1. Revenue Statistical Report – Sheriff and Solicitor Enforcement Section
2. Guidelines for Sheriff Enforcement
3. Sheriff’s Code of Practice
http://www.revenue.ie/revsearch/search.jsp
Michael Skellig wondered how these people get appointed… I’m sure there are some more guidelines somewhere, they are civil servants are they not???
Yours in Life & Living,
Eugene of the ancient clan Dooley
Prerequset is to be psychopath
So there are Revenue Sheriffs too charged with collecting taxes. So where does Customs, also acting as agents of revenue collection come into play?
Really good article Paul. I tend to agree with the majority of the comments though as far as – ok we know how it works but it is only aimed at the normal Joe Soap.
The info above is great though. Would you perhaps do a story on Iceland and how the “Basket Case” country is now in growth and basically debt free?
Sheriff and regresta can not take anything unless you consent. Don’t allow entry ,video everything and he’ll get nothing.
So how are these people appointed? Are the positions advertised to the open market and tendered? It seems like the kind of job that is coveted and handed out to friends.
Powers of the sheriff or regrestrar to Evict where abolished in 2009.
Every sheriff or regrestrar Eviction since has been a crime.
just a monopoly so it is! anyone can be a lay litigator . don’t give them jurisdiction over you!
Nicely explained
They follow a similar role here in Canada, acting as a sheriff/bailiff. But in addition the also handle prisoner transport between jail/prison and the courts.
In some provinces (they fall under Provincial and not Federal administration), they may also have the ability to enforce traffic laws (re: hand out speeding tickets). But this is a new expansion of their use.
Who shot the deputy
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