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Dissident republican group the Continuity IRA attempted to lure police to their deaths during a no-warning bombing near the border, a detective said.<\/p>\nDissident republican group the Continuity IRA attempted to lure police to their deaths during a no-warning bombing near the border, a detective said.<\/p>\n
A device exploded while Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officers were investigating a security alert in the Wattlebridge area, close to Newtownbutler in Co Fermanagh.<\/p>\n
Police had received a report from a media outlet that had been made aware of a suspect device.<\/p>\n
Nobody was injured in the subsequent blast.<\/p>\n
Detective Superintendent Sean Wright said: \u201cOn Sunday morning, a full clearance operation began with the support of ATO colleagues and colleagues from An Garda Siochana.<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring this operation, a bomb exploded in the area of the Cavan Road at its junction with the Wattlebridge Road.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was not a controlled explosion carried out by security services, it detonated without warning.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis demonstrates how volatile these devices are and I am thankful that there were no injuries.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cOur investigation has indicated that this was a deliberate attempt by the Continuity IRA to murder police officers and army personnel.<\/p>\n
\u201cThankfully these terrorists did not succeed in their murderous attempt and police officers and army personnel bravely continued the clearance operation, working to protect the community of Wattlebridge.\u201d<\/p>\n