Man arrested after viable device thrown through window of Belfast Islamic Centre
Police received a report at approximately 10.10pm that an object had been thrown through a window at the centre in the University Road area of the city while people were praying inside the building.
The incident sparked a security alert and the building was evacuated.
Officers attended and carried out a search of the building where a suspicious device was discovered.
Ammunition Technical Officers attended and examined the object which was determined as viable and has since been removed for forensic examination.
A 34-year-old man was arrested under the Terrorism Act at the scene and remains in police custody at this time.
"It is important to stress that, while the suspect has been arrested under the Terrorism Act, the motive for the attack has not yet been established," Assistant Chief Constable Anthony McNally said in a statement.
'Detectives from Serious Crime Branch are currently working at pace and are exploring a number of potential motivating factors including the possibility that this is a hate crime.
"At this time, no other persons are being sought in connection with the attack. I urge anyone who was in the area at the time or may have information to contact us on 101, quoting reference number 1808 20/06/25.'
A report can be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or you can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey has condemned the attack. She said: "I unreservedly condemn this sinister attack, and I welcome that the suspect is now in custody, thanks to the vigilance of a member of the public.
'No one should ever feel unsafe in their place of worship, and my thoughts are with everyone affected.
'Acts like these, fuelled by hate, spread fear and division, and target people who have come to our communities to build a life and call this place home.
'It's vital that all political leaders speak out and stand united against this disgusting behaviour.'
Green Party Councillor Áine Groogan also strongly condemned the attack describing it as a "cowardly and vicious act."
'I am horrified to hear about the attack on the Islamic Centre during evening prayers," she said.
'I want to pay tribute to the courageous passer-by who intervened and prevented what could have been a far more tragic outcome. It is terrifying to consider what might have happened, and I sincerely hope that all those present are recovering from this traumatic ordeal.'
'This attack is yet another reminder of the very real danger faced by our Islamic community. The recent rise in racist hate and violence on our streets is a shameful stain on our society.
"We must all take responsibility for actively challenging racism, misinformation, and bigotry wherever it appears before someone is seriously hurt.
'I urge those politicians who continue to hide behind the notion of so-called 'legitimate concerns' around migration to reflect on the consequences of their words. Such narratives are as disingenuous as they are dangerous. They help foster a culture in which hate can thrive. Frankly, they should know better.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sunday World
a day ago
- Sunday World
Murder investigation launched after woman fatally assaulted
The woman has not yet been formally identified, police said, but officers believe she was in her twenties A police tent at the scene in Chadwell Heath where a woman died (Aaron Chown/PA) Police have launched a murder investigation after a woman was fatally assaulted in the early hours of the morning. The Metropolitan Police said officers were called Chadwell Heath, east London, just after 5.30am on Saturday after reports of an assault. Paramedics also attended but the woman was pronounced dead at the scene in Chadwell Heath Lane, the force said. The woman has not yet been formally identified, police said, but officers believe she was in her twenties. A police tent at the scene in Chadwell Heath Lane (Aaron Chown/PA) Her family have been informed and are being supported by family liaison officers, the force added. No-one has yet been arrested in connection with the incident. Detective Superintendent Brian Hobbs said: 'Our thoughts today are with the victim's family and friends in light of this truly tragic event. 'Local residents will see an increased number of officers in and around the area while our investigative work is carried out. A police tent at the scene in Chadwell Heath where a woman died (Aaron Chown/PA) News in 90 Seconds - August 16th 'I want to thank residents for their patience while this continues. I would ask anyone who was in the area of Romford, who may have seen or heard anything suspicious, to come forward to us.' Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to contact police via 101 quoting 1625/16Aug, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- RTÉ News
PSNI warns protesters over Palestine Action support
Police have warned protesters carrying placards or wearing clothing showing support for Palestine Action at demonstrations in Northern Ireland that they may be committing an offence. PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Anthony McNally urged anyone taking part in protests this weekend in the region to ensure they act within the law. Last weekend, a 74-year-old woman was arrested for wearing a Palestine Action T-shirt in Belfast at an anti-racism rally. Palestine Action was proscribed by the UK Government in July, with the ban meaning that membership of, or support for, the group is a criminal offence under the Terrorism Act 2000. More than 500 people were arrested last weekend on suspicion of displaying an item in support of a proscribed group as demonstrations took place in central London. Mr McNally said: "The right to freedom of speech and freedom of assembly are fundamental human rights. "They are protected in law and allow individuals to engage in peaceful protest. "However, these rights are limited by the need to uphold the rights of others, protect public health and safety, minimise disruption to normal life and by the need to prevent and detect crime." The senior officer said the PSNI would facilitate "lawful, peaceful protest". He added: "We will be in attendance at several protests this weekend to ensure the safety of everyone present. "If we identify potential criminal offences or unacceptable impact on the rights of others, we will take lawful and proportionate action. "If an offence is suspected we will record evidence eg by way of handheld or vehicle mounted-cameras and where possible warn persons suspected of committing an offence. "We may arrest and detain anyone suspected of committing an offence. Ultimately, the decision on whether to prosecute will rest with the Public Prosecution Service." Mr McNally pointed out that Palestine Action is proscribed under the Terrorism Act 2000. He said: "This has no impact on other groups' or individuals' right to protest about Gaza, but anyone showing support for Palestine Action, including with placards or messages on clothing, may be committing an offence. "I would urge everyone to consider the seriousness of a prosecution under the Terrorism Act and the very real long-term implications this could have on their future." The 74-year-old woman arrested in Belfast last weekend was later released pending a report to the Public Prosecution Service. She had been wearing a T-shirt which said "We are all Palestine Action". Amnesty International has called on the PSNI to "uphold people's right to protest against the genocide being perpetrated in Gaza". Northern Ireland director Patrick Corrigan said: "The police must be clear that they have obligations under the Human Rights Act and international law to facilitate the right to peaceful protest. "Carrying out arrests for peaceful expression on this issue would be a violation of international human rights law. "Instead of criminalising peaceful demonstrators, the UK Government should be focusing on taking immediate action to put a stop to Israel's genocide."
The Journal
3 days ago
- The Journal
Councillors wear Palestine Action t-shirts in Newry as PSNI issues warning ahead of protests
TWO INDEPENDENT COUNCILLORS wore Palestine Action t-shirts at a protest in Newry last night, as the PSNI today warned it will take action against anyone seen to be supporting the group this weekend. Independent councillors Alan Lawes and Cieran Perry attended a weekly Palestinian support protest yesterday in Newry, Co Down and displayed t-shirts and posters supporting Palestine Action. Palestine Action is a UK-based protest collective and last month, a vast majority of MPs in the UK parliament backed the Labour government's move to ban the group as a terrorist organisation. The ban means that membership of, or support for, Palestine Action is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison, under the Terrorism Act 2000. The move to ban the organisation was announced after two Voyager aircraft were damaged at RAF base in Oxfordshire on 20 June, an incident claimed by Palestine Action, which police said caused around £7 million (€8m) of damage . Councillor Alan Lawes of Meath County Council said his intention in showing support for Palestine Action last night was to 'expose the hypocrisy of Keir Starmer's Government in banning a non-violent direct action protest group while also supplying weapons to slaughter children in Gaza'. While the UK Government last year suspended around 30 arms export licences to Israel , British Foreign Secretary David Lammy noted that this is not a 'blanket ban or an arms embargo'. Councillor Cieran Perry pictured holding the megaphone in Newry last night Cllr Cieran Perry Cllr Cieran Perry Meanwhile, Councillor Cieran Perry, Independent Group leader on Dublin City Council, said Britian is using 'draconian legislation to silence ordinary people calling out genocide'. Lawes said his action in Newry was in 'solidarity with the peaceful protesters arrested in London at the weekend in a disgraceful attempt to muzzle voices opposing the Israeli genocide'. Over 500 people were arrested in London last weekend, and their average age was 54 – some 112 of them were over 70 years old. In Belfast, a woman in her 70s was arrested last weekend for wearing a Palestine Action t-shirt. Protests are planned in Belfast and across the North this weekend and the PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Anthony McNally warned anyone planning to protest 'to ensure they act within the law'. He said the move to proscribe Palestine Action under the Terrorism Act 'has no impact on other groups' or individuals' right to protest about Gaza'. Advertisement However, he warned that 'anyone showing support for Palestine Action, including with placards or messages on clothing, may be committing an offence'. 'I would urge everyone to consider the seriousness of a prosecution under the Terrorism Act and the very real long-term implications this could have on their future,' said McNally. While McNally said the right to freedom of speech and freedom of assembly are 'fundamental human rights protected in law', he added that these rights are 'limited by the need to prevent and detect crime'. He said that if the PSNI 'identifies potential criminal offences' it will 'take lawful and proportionate action'. 'We may arrest and detain anyone suspected of committing an offence,' said McNally. Councillors Alan Lawes (left) and Cieran Perry Cieran Perry Cieran Perry Perry told The Journal that the PSNI warning is 'really disappointing'. 'I thought the PSNI would have had more sense, given the sensitivities in the six counties,' said Perry. 'I would have thought they would be more sensible than to try and provoke people by arresting people for simply supporting a non-violent, direct action protest group.' 'The hypocrisy of the PSNI to begin to charge people with terrorism offenses when all over loyalist areas, there is a blatant disregard for that legislation.' A Presbyterian minister, Reverend Bill Shaw, was cautioned by the PSNI last week in Belfast for wearing t-shirts in support of Palestine Action. He too accused the PSNI of double standards over an alleged failure to tackle support for proscribed paramilitary groups. He told the Irish News: 'People within the loyalist community can display UVF flags, UDA flags. 'They can march with bands, with paramilitary insignia, all of which are prescribed to organisations, and nothing happens.' Elsewhere, Perry said the arrests so far have been 'both ridiculous and dangerous' and pointed to the ages of those arrested. 'Just looking at the age profile of the people arrested, including ex-veterans and people involved in the Church, they are almost the definition of non-terrorists, by any account.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
