Man forced to deliver bomb ignores orders

[Northern Ireland Hibby]

From BBC NI online.

In a week when we read about the RAF doctor who is facing jail for refusing to serve in Iraq, this kind of bravery restores my faith in humankind:



Van fire bomb made safe in city

The bomb was made safe in Londonderry
Army experts have made safe a blast incendiary device in Londonderry.
It was discovered in a van which had been hijacked by three armed and masked men at Altcar Park in the Galliagh area shortly after midnight.

The driver was ordered to drive the vehicle, containing the blast bomb, to Strand Road police station.

However, on the way to the base the driver - fearing for his safety - abandoned the van at Northland Road and raised the alarm.

Nine homes were evacuated during the subsequent security alert and the occupants were cared for at a local primary school.

The army made the device safe at about 0930 BST.

PSNI Chief Inspector Ken Finney says those behind the attack showed remarkable contempt for the people of this city.

He said had the device exploded, it would have caused untold damage and could easily have lead to loss of life.

The blame for any inconvenience to local people rested firmly with those who planned and carried out the attack, Mr Finney added.

[Scoobie]

There was a similar story years ago in Downpatrick. A guy was hijacked and a full bomb was put in his van, and was told to drive to the Courthouse. I can't remember where, but along the way he totally freaked out and jumped out while the van was still moving.

It didn't go off, but the public who saw him jump out raised the alarm and everything was made safe.

That must've been about 15-ish years ago?

[Northern Ireland Hibby]

Originally Posted by Scoobie

There was a similar story years ago in Downpatrick. A guy was hijacked and a full bomb was put in his van, and was told to drive to the Courthouse. I can't remember where, but along the way he totally freaked out and jumped out while the van was still moving.

It didn't go off, but the public who saw him jump out raised the alarm and everything was made safe.

That must've been about 15-ish years ago?

Yup - the human van bomb was fairly common in it's day.

I think they (republican terrorists of some description) strapped a guy into his van then detonated it remotely when he got to an Army check-point.