PSNI issue appeal to taxi passengers over car bomb bid
Three festive revellers may hold the key to finding those responsible for a failed car bomb attack on a police officer in Belfast.
Police have issued an appeal to trace the passengers who travelled in two cabs which passed close to the scene of the dissident republican murder bid.
The policeman, his wife and two children were about to get into their family car to go for lunch last Sunday when the officer found the viable device during a precautionary under-vehicle check.
The car was parked outside the family home on the Upper Newtownards Road, close to the police headquarters at Knock and the home of the Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont.
Detectives leading the investigation urged late-night revellers who flagged down two different taxis in Belfast city centre to come forward.
Officers want to talk to two women who got into a taxi outside Thompson’s Garage nightclub at Donegall Square East at about 2.45am on Saturday December 29.
After leaving a man off in Newtownards, they were eventually dropped off in the Clonduff estate at the top of the Castlereagh Road in east Belfast.
Police also want to speak to a man who got a cab from Belfast city centre at around 2.30am on Sunday December 30 and travelled to the Manse Road/Doagh Road area of Mossley.
Detectives said neither of the private hire taxis was ordered from a depot and both were flagged down on the street.
During the inquiry police have arrested and questioned three men who were all released without charge.
