Dissidents admit leaving IEDs in Glasgow, London airports and station.. and one is still unaccounted for

DISSIDENT republican terrorists have claimed responsibility for explosive devices sent to Glasgow University and targets in London, detectives said yesterday. The claim, made in the name of the “IRA”, was given to a media outlet in Northern Ireland using a codeword. They said five devices had been sent, which leaves one potential explosive still unaccounted for. A letter bomb was found BY ALAN McEWEN alan.mcewen@ reachplc.com in the mailroom at Glasgow University last Wednesday, sparking an evacuation. A controlled explosion was later carried out on the device, which hadn’t been opened.

It was similar to packages sent to Waterloo Station and buildings near Heathrow and London City airports found on March 5.

Police said the claim of responsibility “was allegedly made on behalf of the ‘IRA’.”

They added: “The investigations into these devices continue and inquiries are being made in relation to the claim that has been made.

“Given the packages received last week bore similarities to devices sent in the past, which were linked to dissident groups associated with Northern Ireland-related terrorism, officers were already looking at this as a line of inquiry.

“We are also aware those claiming responsibility have indicated five devices were sent. At this time, only four devices have been recovered.”

The claim of responsibility was received on Monday by the Belfast-based Irish News, who said: “(The group) claimed three were sent to ‘commercial targets’, while the remaining two were posted to British Army recruitment officers.

“The group said a device discovered at Glasgow University was intended for a British Army recruitment officer who works there.”

The terror threat to Britain from “Northern Ireland-related terrorism” remains moderate, which means “an attack is possible but not likely”. MI5 said the threat to Northern Ireland remained severe.