A car bomb has exploded outside a police station in Northern Ireland in what is being treated as a suspected dissident republican attack.
The blast occurred late on Saturday night in Dunmurry, on the outskirts of Belfast, after a vehicle believed to have been hijacked earlier in the evening was driven to the scene and detonated shortly afterwards.
Police sources confirmed that no officers were injured in the explosion, though the incident has heightened concerns over a resurgence of paramilitary activity, the Belfast Telegraph reported.
Forensic teams were deployed to examine the burnt-out wreckage, with officers in protective suits combing the area for evidence in the early hours of Sunday.
A large security cordon remains in place, with road closures affecting Dunmurry Lane and surrounding routes.
Suspicion is expected to fall on dissident republicans, coming just weeks after the New IRA admitted responsibility for an attempted bombing at a police station in Lurgan.
Local residents reported hearing a loud explosion at around 11:30 pm, while videos circulating online showed flames engulfing a vehicle and smoke rising into the night sky.
❗️⚠️🇬🇧 – Northern Ireland – A suspected car bomb exploded outside a Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) station in Dunmurry, on the outskirts of west Belfast, late Saturday night.
According to multiple regional reports, including the Belfast Telegraph, the vehicle was… pic.twitter.com/L4QZ01IV1a
— 🔥🗞The Informant (@theinformant_x) April 26, 2026
Political leaders across Northern Ireland condemned the attack in strong terms. Sorcha Eastwood described the incident as “distressing and disturbing”, warning that it was only by “the grace of God” that no one was killed in what she said was a busy residential and commercial area.
She praised emergency responders, including the Police Service of Northern Ireland and army technical officers, and insisted that communities would continue to reject violence.
Gavin Robinson said the attack was “deeply concerning”, describing those responsible as having “nothing to offer society except destruction and division”. He warned against complacency, adding that the threat from such groups remains real despite years of security efforts.
Paul Maskey also condemned those involved, saying they “represent no one” and have “nothing to offer our society”, urging them to cease targeting communities that want to live in peace.
Gerry Carroll said there was “panic and concern” locally, noting that the outcome could have been far worse.
The incident echoes a recent attempted attack in Lurgan, where a delivery driver was forced at gunpoint to transport a device to a police station. The PSNI later confirmed the device was a viable improvised explosive.
Earlier this month, Justice Minister Naomi Long warned that dissident republican groups retain both the capability and intent to carry out attacks on police, cautioning that the risk cannot be ignored.
The latest explosion is likely to intensify pressure on security services and reignite fears of renewed paramilitary violence in Northern Ireland.
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