First pictures of lorry bomb which could have caused 'carnage' on Brexit night

Police have released startling images of a bomb they believe was bound for Scotland and intended to explode on Brexit night.

The initial report from the group was that the device had been left on a trailer in Belfast Docks. Picture: PA Wire

The device, comprising of a number of parts including wires, was recovered by police in Northern Ireland attached to a lorry that dissident republicans had believed was bound for an Irish Sea ferry.

Police believe there had been a plan to detonate it to mark Brexit.

Detectives in Northern Ireland have released startling images of the device which they believe was meant to explode on Brexit day. Picture: PSNI

Officers have blamed the Continuity IRA for the botched terror bid last Friday night.

The renegade group entered the yard of a Co Armagh-based company specialising in the transportation of frozen goods and attached the bomb to a heavy goods vehicle they thought was destined for a late-night ferry crossing to Scotland.

But officers suspect the dissidents selected the wrong vehicle, as the trailer containing the bomb did not leave its premises in Lurgan on Friday.

'Sheer recklessness'

The device was finally discovered at the yard on Monday night after an intensive police search operation.

The security alert was initially prompted when the Belfast newspaper the Irish News received a warning on Friday night that a device had been left on a trailer in Belfast docks.

On Friday, the PSNI released two photographs of the device and an appeal for information to assist the investigation.

Detective Superintendent Sean Wright said the images "demonstrate the sheer recklessness" of those behind the plot.

"Today I am releasing two photographs of the device found attached to a heavy goods vehicle in the Silverwood Industrial Estate," he said.

"These images clearly show the explosive device attached to the lorry. They also demonstrate the sheer recklessness of those who knowingly put the driver, road users and the wider public at risk of death or serious injury.

"I continue to appeal to anyone who was in the area of Silverwood Industrial Estate between 4pm and 10pm on Friday January 31 and who may have noticed any unusual activity in the area to contact police.

"In addition I ask that anyone who was driving in the area and who would have dash-cam footage around these same times that they contact police, as a matter of urgency."