Man charged over Belfast bomb hoax which disrupted Irish minister’s speech

Man, 40, charged with preparation of terrorist acts and hijacking over incident at reconciliation event attended by Simon Coveney

A man has been charged with a number of offences relating to a security alert in Belfast that led to Ireland’s foreign minister being evacuated from a peace event.

Simon Coveney was taken out of an event organised by the John and Pat Hume Foundation in north Belfast last Friday. The Irish minister was making a speech to the gathering at the time.

The Houben Centre, on the Crumlin Road, was evacuated and a funeral service at nearby Holy Cross church was disrupted.

Police said the driver of a van was threatened by two gunmen and forced to drive a device, which he believed to be a live bomb, to the church.

Detectives have charged a 40-year-old man with preparation of terrorist acts, hijacking and placing an article causing a bomb hoax.

He will appear at Laganside magistrates court in Belfast on Thursday.

A 48-year-old woman who was also arrested as part of the investigation has been released.

The PSNI Serious Crime Branch carried out searches in the Ballysillan and Springmartin areas of north and west Belfast at the weekend.

A suspected firearm, two vehicles, a quantity of controlled drugs and a large sum of cash were seized.

Friday’s incident was condemned by politicians across the political spectrum.

Brandon Lewis, the Northern Ireland secretary, described it as “reprehensible”.

Found this interesting? Then check our main news page where you can find all articles related to Crypto, Crime, Darknet, Security and much more!