Police believe a lorry bomb heading for Scotland and expected to travel down the M1, was planted by dissident Irish Republicans for Brexit Day. The bomb was found, after an extensive search, on a lorry at Silverwood Industrial Estate in Lurgan, County Armagh, on Monday night . Initial reports said that the bomb was due to travel on a haulage lorry by ferry from Belfast docks to Scotland.
Speaking to the media, Det Supt Sean Wright speculated that the vehicle might have then been driven down the M1 and across the Westlink or into the Harbour estate. He adds that, in his opinion, the bomb could have caused significant carnage had it exploded at any point along that journey.
Police searched Belfast docks and worked with the ferry company, Harbour authorities and Police Scotland but were initially unable to locate the bomb. A second report then came through on Monday evening which named the haulage company and triggered a vehicle search of around 400 haulage lorries, eventually leading the police to the device at Silverwood Industrial Estate. The bomb was then made safe by an ammunition technical officer (ATO).
SOURCES:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-51401435
https://www.armaghi.com/news/lurgan-news/explosive-device-found-in-lurgan-was-attached-to-lorry/
