Belfast golf club evacuated after 'viable bomb' found under car

Megan White1 June 2019

A golf club has been evacuated after a suspected viable bomb was found under a car.

A tournament being held at the Shandon Park Golf Club in Belfast was cancelled and at least 70 people evacuated after the device was found.

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.

A special tournament being held at the Shandon Park club was cancelled and at least 70 people evacuated
PA

Police and Army bomb disposal experts attended the scene and a robot was used to investigate the suspect device.

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

Someone immediately informed police and club members.

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.

It is thought the device could have been viable
PA

"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.

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

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."