Kieran Smyth Charged with Attempted Murder After Dunmurry Police Station Car Bomb Attack

Kieran Smyth, 66, from Belfast, appeared via videolink at Lisburn Magistrates' Court, charged with attempted murder and causing an explosion likely to endanger life or cause serious injury. He also faces charges of hijacking, possessing explosives with intent to endanger life, and possessing articles for use in terrorism.

Police evidence detailed how, on the evening of Saturday 25 April, a takeaway delivery driver was threatened with a pistol by two men in Twinbrook. A gas canister bomb was placed in his vehicle, and he was instructed to drive it to Dunmurry Police Station within 30 minutes. The device detonated at 23:15 BST as officers evacuated the area, with the detective inspector stating the blast "could clearly have killed anyone within close proximity".

Smyth’s defence solicitor contended that evidence was insufficient to link his client to most charges, suggesting the only firm connection was to a phone top-up made on the day of the explosion. Police asserted this phone was used to order the takeaway, and CCTV footage reportedly showed Smyth topping up the device. Furthermore, a subsequent transaction on the same top-up machine was a payment to a Monzo bank account linked to Smyth.

The judge ruled against separating the charges, stating she was "satisfied that the defendant could be linked to all the charges." Smyth was remanded into custody, with his next court appearance scheduled for 18 May.