Security report warns of ‘growing sophistication’ by dissident bomb makers

THE British Army’s bomb disposal squad has warned of the “growing sophistication” of dissident republican devices it has examined.

The warning has been sounded in a security report for the British government.

The team was involved in 229 call-outs in Northern Ireland in the 12 months up to July 2019.

That is an increase from 198 on the previous year.

The majority of incidents (144) involved dealing with finds of munitions.

During the period covered by the report, the New IRA and Continuity IRA were involved in attacks across the North of Ireland.

A device exploded outside Derry court in January 2019 just a few minutes after pedestrians had passed the bomb-laden vehicle.

Last September, a deadly mortar bomb device was on found on a wall close to residential homes which was directed at Strabane police station.

In a follow up searches, a bomb with a command wire leading from it was found in the boot of a car parked in a driveway in Creggan.

The report for the Northern Ireland Office is conducted annually by David Seymour, the independent reviewer of justice and security issues.

His report notes that British army bomb disposal teams are “concerned activity is ‘ramping up'” and the “devices with which they have to deal show signs of a growing sophistication.”

The PSNI has also previously remarked on technical improvements to more recent dissident bombs.

The security service MI5 has the lead intelligence role in countering the threat.

The current threat level is classed as “severe” in the North of Ireland, meaning attacks remain “highly likely.”

The report states that during the 12 months in question there were 170 “disruptive actions” against dissident groups.

This includes arrests of dissident rpeublican suspects, charges for terrorist related offences, and seizures of explosives, firearms and ammunition.

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