Delivery driver forced at gunpoint to drive bomb to Lurgan police station
Delivery driver forced at gunpoint to drive bomb to Lurgan police station
Delivery driver coerced at gunpoint to drive a crude device to a Lurgan police station; police say it was likely tied to dissident groups and evacuated dozens of homes.
Two masked men, one armed with a gun, hijacked a fast-food delivery driver in the Kilwilkie estate of Lurgan on Monday evening and ordered him to drive his car to the town's central police station, telling him he would be killed if he refused. The driver complied, but later fled the vehicle and alerted security staff that there was a bomb in the boot.
Police later described the device as a crude but viable improvised explosive device and said it was highly likely that dissident republican groups were behind the attack. The incident prompted a police response with cordons in the town centre and evacuations.
A controlled explosion was carried out to render the device safe. Roads around the police station were reopened as residents were allowed to return after being evacuated from around 100 homes.
Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the ordeal was horrific and terrifying for the delivery driver and stressed that those responsible had no support from the community. Investigators said they were in the early stages of the probe and urged anyone with information to come forward as officers piece together what happened and whether other persons were involved.
Officials emphasised that such acts have no place in society, and authorities will pursue those responsible to the full extent of the law.
