MOSCOW (Sputnik) – An Irish republican paramilitary organization referred to as New IRA has claimed responsibility for last week’s bomb attack that targeted a prison officer in eastern Belfast, local media reported Monday, citing the group’s statement.
On Friday morning, a bomb exploded under the van of the 52-year-old officer when he was driving the vehicle. The attack’s victim is said to have been providing training to other guards at the Maghaberry high security prison, for which he faced revenge, The Irish News said, citing the dissident republican group.
"This is directly related to the ongoing prison dispute — forced strip searches and controlled movement," a New IRA spokesman said, as quoted by the outlet.
The officer is said to be in a stable condition at present. Following the blast, police have detained three men and one woman as part of the investigation into the attempted murder.
