Lurgan Security Alert: Delivery Driver Forced at Gunpoint to Transport Device to Police Station
A pizza delivery driver was forced at gunpoint by masked men to transport a suspicious device to a PSNI station in Lurgan, Co Armagh, in an incident that sparked a major security alert and has been condemned by political leaders and victims' groups across Northern Ireland.
The incident, which occurred in late March 2026, involved the hijacking of a delivery van. Masked men placed an object inside the vehicle before forcing the driver at gunpoint to drive to the local PSNI station. The driver was unharmed, but the experience has been described as deeply traumatising.
Background
Dissident republican groups remain active in Northern Ireland and are believed to retain the capacity and desire to carry out attacks on security forces. The use of so-called "proxy bombs" — forcing civilians to unwittingly or unwillingly transport explosive devices — is a tactic with a long and disturbing history in the conflict, and one that security services had hoped was consigned to the past.
Key Developments
Justice Minister Naomi Long condemned the incident in the strongest terms, describing it as an attack not just on the police but on the entire community. A victims' group said the experience for the driver was "deeply traumatising" and called for those responsible to be brought to justice. The PSNI has launched a full investigation and is appealing for witnesses.
Why It Matters
The incident is a stark reminder that the threat from dissident republicans has not been eliminated, and that ordinary civilians can be caught up in attacks with no warning. It has also reignited debate about the resources available to the PSNI to counter the dissident threat, at a time when the force is also dealing with the fallout from an internal review into sexism and misogyny.
What's Next
The PSNI investigation is ongoing. Political leaders have called for community cooperation in identifying those responsible. Full coverage at BBC News.
