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https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/boy-15-among-three-arrested-33895472

A man, woman and boy have all been arrested in connection with the investigation

A teenage boy, a man and a woman have been arrested by police investigating an attempted car bomb attempt on Lurgan police station.

On Wednesday, May 6, police said they had arrested a 48-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy under the Terrorism Act. Both were taken to Musgrave Serious Crime Suite for questioning

A police spokesperson added that a 39-year-old woman was subsequently arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice, obstructing police and assisting an offender

All three were arrested in the Lurgan area, where a number of searches remain ongoing.

The dissident republican group the New IRA claimed responsibility for the incident in March that saw a food delivery driver hijacked in Kilwilkie and forced to drive a “crude but viable” device to the station

A spokesperson for the Police Service of Northern Ireland said: “This cowardly and widely condemned attack, which took place on the night of Monday 30 March, put innocent lives at risk

I’m keen to offer assurance that we will continue in our efforts to bring those responsible to justice, and would encourage anyone with information to get in touch

Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives on 101, quoting reference 1828 of 30/03/26. Information can also be shared with the independent charity Crimestoppers, with 100% anonymity."

Anyone with information can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online

https://www.irishnews.com/news/northern-ireland/asylum-seeker-came-at-northern-ireland-police-officer-with-a-knife-before-shouting-allahu-akabar-court-told-3DDVQGVA3FGMTJXZE5QANONM3I/

Libyan national Hamza Banali remanded in custody

An asylum seeker allegedly advanced towards a PSNI officer with a knife before shouting the Islamic proclamation “Allahu Akbar”, a court has heard.

The officer was forced to draw his gun when Libyan national Hamza Banali, 24, confronted him in the Holyland area of south Belfast at the weekend, a judge was told on Monday.

Banali, with an address at Farnham Street in the city, denies any religious or hate motivation behind an incident linked to reports of cars being damaged in the area.

He appeared at Belfast Magistrates’ Court charged with possessing a bladed article in a public place and resisting police.

Officers went to Damascus Street late on Saturday night amid claims that a man was damaging parked cars with a knife.

Banali, who is originally from Tripoli, was approached after he matched the description given of the perpetrator.

“He advanced towards the police, drawing a short, bladed knife,” an investigating detective claimed

A sergeant at the scene then drew his gun, telling him to drop the knife and get onto the ground.

Within seconds, Banali allegedly discarded the blade before being detained and handcuffed.

As he was being arrested, he shouted “Allahu Akbar”, the Arabic phrase meaning “God is great”, the court heard.

The defendant was said to be so aggressive that he had to be physically restrained as officers transported him into custody.

“During interviews, he denied any hate or religious motivation,” the detective added.

He alleged intoxication was the cause, and denied ever having the knife in his possession.”

Banali has not been charged with criminal damage to any of the cars on Damascus Street.

But police opposed bail amid claims that he poses a risk to the public

Defence solicitor Aidan Carlin argued that it was nothing more than an alcohol-fuelled incident.

Defence solicitor Aidan Carlin argued that it was nothing more than an alcohol-fuelled incident.

“He made comments while intoxicated, sadly, like so many people who come before the courts,” the lawyer submitted.

He said things and behaved in a way that he regrets.”

Mr Carlin described Banali as an unemployed pizza chef currently seeking asylum in the United Kingdom.

Banali was remanded in custody to appear in court again on May 7.

https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/belfast-news/new-ira-target-homes-police-33851386

The New IRA has claimed responsibility for a car bomb explosion outside a police station in Dunmurry - and says it will now target the homes of police officers in Northern Ireland

The New IRA has vowed to 'target the homes of police officers' in Northern Ireland following a car bomb attack. The dissident republican group also claimed responsibility for the car bomb explosion outside a police station in Dunmurry, near to Belfast, on Saturday

In a statement from the “leadership of the IRA” to the Irish News, the New IRA said anyone who provides information to the PSNI “will be severely dealt with”. It said the Dunmurry explosion was intended to kill officers as they left the building.

Thankfully, no injuries were reported after the blast on Saturday, which occurred shortly after 10.50pm. It did however cause significant damage, and families in the area were evacuated.

A delivery driver was forced by the group to carry a bomb packed with Semtex explosives, as well as an electrical detonator and a timing device. The PSNI has said it will now launch a “high visibility policing operation” to counter the dissident republican threat

Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck said: “Communities across Northern Ireland will see an increase in policing activity as a high visibility policing operation gets underway to counter the ongoing dissident threat.

We have concerns about threats across Northern Ireland from dissident groups, particularly in the wake of the recent attack on Dunmurry Police Station which demonstrated a clear intent to damage and disrupt communities and potentially injure and kill police officers and staff.

Our job is to keep communities safe and also our officers who bravely serve to protect these communities. We are taking every reasonable step to do so. However, we need the active support of our communities to do this.

He added: “This operation will involve more vehicle checkpoints and patrolling officers. This may cause some inconvenience to the general public, however, we are asking for patience and the support of communities as we work hard to keep us all safe

First Minister Michelle O’Neill said it was a day for “strong condemnation, not political nonsense”, while Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said the security situation in Northern Ireland needed to be “very high on the agenda” at Westminster.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned the attack on Sunday, while Secretary of State Hilary Benn told the House of Commons on Monday that those responsible were a “small number of people who represent no-one but themselves”.

Police Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said it was an “attack on all of us” and called those responsible “mindless thugs”. The incident came just weeks after an attempted car bomb attack on Lurgan police station.