Police arrested a 66-year-old man in the Dunmurry area on Tuesday 28 April following searches linked to a car bomb explosion outside Dunmurry Police Station. The man was detained under the Terrorism Act and taken to Musgrave Serious Crime Suite for questioning. Additional searches continue in east and west Belfast.

The device detonated shortly after 22:50 BST on Saturday. A delivery driver had been hijacked at gunpoint in Twinbrook, west Belfast, and forced to drive the vehicle fitted with a gas cylinder explosive to the station. Officers evacuated residents from nearby homes during the incident.

No one was injured in the blast, which damaged the surrounding built-up area near family homes. The PSNI classifies the event as attempted murder.

The New IRA stated it carried out the attack to target police officers leaving the station. The group threatened to bomb PSNI officers' homes without warning and said informants would face consequences.

Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck announced a high-visibility policing operation across Northern Ireland, including more vehicle checkpoints and patrols, to address dissident threats. He noted the measures may inconvenience the public but requested community support.

Chief Constable Jon Boutcher described the attack as deliberate and reckless. He praised officers for evacuating residents, including families with young babies, as the device exploded.

Policing Board chairman Brendan Mullan welcomed the arrest. Police Federation chairman Liam Kelly condemned the New IRA. Police appeal for information via 101, reference 1682 of 25/04/26, or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.