The ‘New IRA’ bring terror after sending three firebombs to London
Dissident Republican group the New IRA are believed to have sent three firebombs to London on Tuesday, bringing terror back to Britain after years of peace.
The devices were found in Jiffy Bags at Waterloo Station, City Airport and an address near Heathrow. No one was injured, but fears of a fresh bombing campaign were growing.
All the outer packages had 2018 Valentine Day stamps on, with the words “Love Eire N”, which are available at Irish post offices.
The packages also had Dublin return addresses, with one saying “Bus Eireann, Dublin”.
There could be more devices still in depots. If they are from the New IRA, they will be the first Republican explosives found on Britain since 2014.
Last night a Garda spokesman confirmed last night the force was assisting Metropolitan Police officers in London with their enquiries
A source said: “At least one of the packages originated from Dublin and it is believed that all of these packages are from Ireland.
“It is most likely to be a New IRA dissident republican-orientated attack but it could also be Islamic – there is nothing in the packages that could lead anyone to believe in specifics.
“There will now be a full investigation here in Ireland as well as in the UK to determine who it came from.”
Another source claimed the attacks may even be linked to Brexit, adding: “People believe this is a wake-up call, a warning to show what they could do, the disruption they can cause if the British abandon the backstop.
“It’s about calling on those in power to take notice that the majority of people in Northern Ireland voted to remain in the EU.
“The New IRA are the prime suspects and their inner core is very tight. It is thought they are using the skills of older experienced people to create mayhem.”
The New IRA is a paramilitary group based in areas of west Belfast and Dublin, formed of dissidents who reject the peace process.
Sources said it has been handed locations of old IRA arms dumps which were never disclosed during the decommissioning process after the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.
It is well-equipped with AKM assault rifles, sub-machine guns, handguns and large quantities of “blowie”, the nickname for commercial explosives including Semtex supplied to the IRA by Libya in the 80s.
It is believed the group also has newer weapons smuggled into the
province more recently and numbers are said to be growing, with up to 500 sworn members.
In 2014, the New IRA sent failed devices to Army career offices
throughout England. The group claimed responsibility for a car bomb attack in Derry in January this year. Scotland Yard said: “The Met Police Counter Terrorism Command is treating the incidents as a linked series and is keeping an open mind regarding motives.”
The Ministry of Defence confirmed there was no military involvement.
The first device was spotted at around 9.55am at The Compass Centre, in Hounslow, West London. It was opened by staff and started to burn.
Police said: “No one was injured. The building was evacuated.
Specialist officers attended and made the device safe. The building is not based at Heathrow Airport, and flights have not been affected.
“At approximately 11.40am British Transport Police were called to
reports of a suspicious package in the postroom at Waterloo Station. The package was not opened. Specialist officers attended and made the device safe. No one was injured. The station was not evacuated however cordons are in place at a small area outside the station on Cab Road.
Train services are continuing to operate as normal. At approximately 12.10pm police were called to a report of a suspicious package at offices at City Aviation House, Royal Docks, Newham. Staff were
evacuated.”
London mayor Sadiq Khan said: “Our thanks go to police, security,
transport staff and all involved for swift actions to keep our city
safe.”
MI5’s threat warning of a Republican terror attack in Britain
remained at “moderate” last night, meaning one is “possible”.
But a source said the low quality of the explosives was a potential
sign dissident groups are unable logistically to launch a lethal
attack.
There were also theories yesterday’s packages could have been sent by someone with a grievance against transport firms or a person with mental health problems.
Source: Irish Mirror
