30.12.04
Belfast Telegraph
Ulster shopkeepers on fire bomb alert
By Jonathan McCambridge
30 December 2004
Shopkeepers across Northern Ireland were today warned about a new fire bombing campaign following the discovery of the latest device in a super- market.
Army bomb experts defused the incendiary device in Sainsbury's at the Sprucefield complex near Lisburn yesterday.
Dissident republicans have been linked to fire bombings which have destroyed several stores across the province.
Senior police have warned all retailers to check their premises, whether they are open or not.
Police sources fear that a number of potentially lethal fire bombs may have already been left in retail outlets but not yet discovered.
In recent weeks devices have been discovered in Lisburn, Newry, Antrim, Londonderry, Newtownabbey and Ballymena.
A number ignited, causing major damage.
Yesterday's device in Sprucefield was discovered and made safe by the Army without any damage.
This is the second fire bomb alert at Sprucefield after the B&Q store was extensively damaged.
Police originally issued an urgent appeal to retailers in Lisburn to carefully search their premises and report anything suspicious.
However, they later widened their appeal across Northern Ireland.
Assistant Chief Constable Duncan McCausland said premises should be checked every day, open or not.
He said: "We have seen a number of incidents over the past month where stores have been fully or partially destroyed.
"These devices have tended to ignite overnight after the shops have been closed.
"There has been no warning for any of these devices and luckily no-one has been injured.
"Shopkeepers should call police immediately if anything suspicious is found."
Ulster shopkeepers on fire bomb alert
By Jonathan McCambridge
30 December 2004
Shopkeepers across Northern Ireland were today warned about a new fire bombing campaign following the discovery of the latest device in a super- market.
Army bomb experts defused the incendiary device in Sainsbury's at the Sprucefield complex near Lisburn yesterday.
Dissident republicans have been linked to fire bombings which have destroyed several stores across the province.
Senior police have warned all retailers to check their premises, whether they are open or not.
Police sources fear that a number of potentially lethal fire bombs may have already been left in retail outlets but not yet discovered.
In recent weeks devices have been discovered in Lisburn, Newry, Antrim, Londonderry, Newtownabbey and Ballymena.
A number ignited, causing major damage.
Yesterday's device in Sprucefield was discovered and made safe by the Army without any damage.
This is the second fire bomb alert at Sprucefield after the B&Q store was extensively damaged.
Police originally issued an urgent appeal to retailers in Lisburn to carefully search their premises and report anything suspicious.
However, they later widened their appeal across Northern Ireland.
Assistant Chief Constable Duncan McCausland said premises should be checked every day, open or not.
He said: "We have seen a number of incidents over the past month where stores have been fully or partially destroyed.
"These devices have tended to ignite overnight after the shops have been closed.
"There has been no warning for any of these devices and luckily no-one has been injured.
"Shopkeepers should call police immediately if anything suspicious is found."
