'Viable bomb' found under police officer's car in east Belfast

By Michael McHugh and David Young

A suspected viable bomb has been found under a car at an east Belfast golf club, a member said.

A tournament being held at the Shandon Park Golf Club was cancelled and at least 70 people evacuated.

The course is close to the headquarters of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

Dissident republicans opposed to the peace process pose a serious threat to the security forces and have used similar methods to attack their members in the past.

Club member Alan Paterson said an individual leaving the course noticed something under the car.

Someone immediately informed police and club members.

Security alert continues at Shandon Park Golf Club in Belfast. Former club captain and @Glentoran great Alan Paterson has latest from scene “possible viable device under one of the cars in the car park...” pic.twitter.com/3ZJjEOYg0G

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) June 1, 2019

He added: "Within several minutes the police arrived and identified the object and said that they felt it was viable and that they should immediately evacuate the clubhouse and surrounding area, and also get everybody else off the golf course.

"It is very disappointing that things have been disrupted.

"We are delighted that if it was a viable device the person concerned was not injured or worse, so that is a big plus for everybody.

"We are a very mixed club. It is east Belfast, yes, but it is a mixed club and this sort of thing should not happen - it just should not happen."

It is understood the car park area is covered by CCTV and footage will be scrutinised by detectives.

Police and Army bomb disposal experts attended the scene.

The car park was packed with the vehicles of golfers attending a vice-captain's day tournament.

A robot was used to investigate the suspect device.

Members had planned to watch Saturday evening's Champions League football final at the clubhouse.

Mr Paterson added: "A disappointing day, it was nice to plan but it is not going to happen."

Democratic Unionist Stormont Assembly member Joanne Bunting said it was a busy club with many golfers and social members on the premises and was surrounded by residential communities.

"It would be absolutely reckless for anyone to target such a busy area with an explosive device.

"Whether or not this is a viable device remains to be seen but either way we should recognise the alertness and swift response of all involved.

"Nevertheless, it will have caused disruption, inconvenience and worry."