Dissident Republicans Behind Proxy Bomb Attack on Lurgan Police Station, PSNI Says
A fast-food delivery driver was hijacked at gunpoint and forced to drive a "crude but viable" improvised explosive device to Lurgan police station in County Armagh on the night of 31 March 2026, in what the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) described as a "reckless and cowardly attack" highly likely carried out by dissident republicans. Around 100 homes were evacuated and a controlled explosion was carried out to neutralise the device.
The attack drew widespread condemnation from political leaders across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, with Taoiseach Micheál Martin describing it as "beyond comprehension" and Tánaiste Simon Harris calling it "deeply chilling."
How the Attack Unfolded
At approximately 10pm on 31 March, a delivery driver making a delivery in the Kilwilkie area of Lurgan was hijacked at gunpoint by two masked men. The men placed a briefcase-sized device in the boot of the driver's white Audi A4 and ordered him to drive it to Lurgan Police Station, threatening to kill him if he refused.
The driver complied, driving the vehicle into the station's compound. Notably, the bomb car passed an unmanned external security post and an open outer gate before reaching the inner compound. Upon arrival, the driver escaped the vehicle and alerted security staff that there was a bomb in his car. Ammunition technical officers subsequently carried out a controlled explosion to render the vehicle safe. Roads in Lurgan town centre were reopened, though the police station remained sealed off for ongoing investigations.
Political Condemnation
PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson described the device as "crude but viable" and emphasised that despite its unsophisticated nature, it posed a significant risk to the delivery driver, security staff, and the local community. He characterised it as a "reckless and cowardly attack" and said the PSNI believed dissident republicans were responsible, possibly seeking to "make themselves relevant" ahead of the anniversary of the Easter Rising.
Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn condemned the "reckless act of violence," while Justice Minister Naomi Long called it a "despicable attack" that had "put lives at risk." DUP leader Gavin Robinson described it as a "chilling throwback to the darkest days of the Troubles." Sinn Féin MLA John O'Dowd condemned those responsible, noting they "represent no one but themselves."
Security Context
The attack is a reminder that the dissident republican threat in Northern Ireland, while significantly diminished from the height of the Troubles, has not been eliminated. The PSNI has noted that dissident groups "still retain that lethal intent, material, munitions and resources." The use of a proxy bomb — forcing an innocent civilian to deliver an explosive device — is a tactic historically associated with republican paramilitaries during the Troubles and has become rare in recent years.
The incident occurred just weeks after PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher indicated that the overall security threat level could potentially be downgraded to "moderate" in the coming years, though the current paramilitary threat level remains "substantial."
Why It Matters
The attack is a stark reminder of the ongoing security challenges facing Northern Ireland and the courage required of ordinary people — like the delivery driver who was forced into an impossible situation — who find themselves caught up in dissident republican violence. The unanimous condemnation from across the political spectrum reflects the broad consensus in Northern Ireland that such attacks have no place in a society that has worked hard to build peace.
What's Next
The PSNI has appealed for anyone with information about the attack to come forward. Full reporting is available from The Irish News and RTÉ.
