Police in Lurgan, Co Armagh, linked dissident republicans to an incident at the local police station on the night of March 31. Two masked men, one armed with a gun, hijacked a delivery driver in the Kilwilkie estate around 10.30pm. They placed an object in the boot of his car and ordered him to drive to the station.

The driver alerted officers to the threat. Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson called the object a crude but viable improvised explosive device. A security operation evacuated more than 100 homes. Bomb disposal experts conducted a controlled explosion.

PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher stated detectives from the terrorist investigation unit began an inquiry. He said little doubt exists that dissident republicans carried out the act, timed ahead of Easter parades. Boutcher noted PSNI officers remain the primary target under a substantial threat level.

Jonny Byrne, senior lecturer in criminology at Ulster University, attributed reduced dissident activity to security successes against groups like the New IRA, Continuity IRA, and Real IRA. PSNI statistics for the year to end-February recorded no security-related deaths, nine paramilitary-style attacks, two shootings, and 16 bombing incidents.

MI5 director general Ken McCallum stated last October that Northern Ireland experienced its longest period without a national security attack since the Troubles started.

Naomi Long, Northern Ireland's Minister for Justice, visited Lurgan Police Station. She met South Area Commander Chief Superintendent Norman Haslett and District Commander Superintendent Brendan Green. Long noted no intelligence points to further attacks. Green said those responsible offer nothing to the community.