CWU Safety Reps and other Reps are asked to urge staff
to be vigilant and on the lookout for suspicious packages
On Friday morning last, the 14th August, a small Fire-Bomb exploded inside a Royal Mail (CDV) Van at the Palace Barracks, Army base at Holywood, County Down BT18 9RA, on the outskirts of Belfast, in Northern Ireland. The base is also the Northern Irish headquarters for MI5.
Fortunately the Postal worker who had been driving the van was not inside when the explosion occurred.
The Driver was shaken and traumatised but physically unharmed and has been interviewed at length by the Police and Army to assist with enquiries. We are all greatly relieved no one was seriously injured or killed in the incident.
The Royal Mail delivery driver, a CWU member who works out of the Tomb Street Delivery Offices was on a Van Delivery Duty and had arrived at the Holywood Army Barracks where he parked his van and got out.
As he was walking away there was a bang in the back of the van. He went back to the van and observed a mail item ‘sparking’ at which point he moved away, a safe distance from the Van which then caught fire and was destroyed along with two other cars parked adjacent to the van. Garages nearby were also damaged by the fire.
CWU National Health and Safety Officer Dave Joyce condemned the sending of explosive devices through the postal system, which is of great concern to the Union and its members employed by Royal Mail.
He appealed to those behind this campaign not to send any further devices that can endanger innocent Royal Mail workers, putting life and limb at risk:
“Postal workers and their families have nothing to do with the issues behind these devices and just want to go about their jobs in a safe and secure way, delivering a good reliable service to the public which is cherished and enjoyed across the nation. They don't deserve to be put at risk and to live in fear of being injured, maimed or killed.”
Regarding Royal Mail's response to the incident, he added:
“Royal Mail have assured us that they will do everything possible to protect postal workers as they go about their daily jobs serving communities across the United Kingdom and would do everything possible to facilitate the police investigation.
The CWU will fully support Royal Mail in that respect. Royal Mail has rigorous procedures in place to deal with suspect devices and trained personnel who manage these situations.
The Workforce will be briefed and asked to be vigilant and look out for suspect packages in order that they can be safely dealt with and removed from the postal system.”
Due to the damage caused by fire and water, the exact nature or make up of the device that caused the explosion has yet to be established, and the incident continues to be investigated. The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) attended and put out the blaze, however, the vehicle was burnt out and extensively damaged. The flames had also spread to two other adjacent vehicles as well as nearby garages. Fire crews spent 90 minutes battling the van blaze.
A Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) statement said:
“Detectives from PSNI Serious Crime Branch can confirm that a small explosion occurred inside the rear of a Royal Mail Postal vehicle within Palace Barracks in Holywood on Friday morning. Forensic investigators were continuing to inspect and examine the shell of the van thoroughly. Due to the damage caused by fire and water, the exact nature or make up of the device that caused the explosion has yet to be established. Forensic units were called to the scene, spending many hours examining the van and looking for clues as to what the device was.”
The PSNI said on Saturday that although they have no information to suggest there may be other similar packages in the postal system, they will be working closely with Royal Mail to mitigate any potential risk by identifying and safely removing any further suspicious items from the mail. The Police have appealed to anyone who has any information to bring it to their attention without delay.
CWU HQ Health, Safety & Environment Department reported that Royal Mail Group Security have been in constant contact with them from the day of the incident and over the weekend, providing regular updates. Also, the CWU Area Safety Rep for Northern Ireland Sean Doherty is being fully involved and consulted locally.
A Royal Mail Security Briefing has been issued asking managers to brief the workforce on the details of the incident and to remind all staff that In the event of the discovery of any suspicious items - follow the “Be Aware”guidelines and report all incidents to Royal Mail Central Postal Control (CPC).
A copy of “Be aware” can be downloaded by clicking on the pic to the right. It is also availabel from the E-Library Database
Brief recenthistory/background of An improvised explosive device
(IED) incidents:
- Last March 2014, letter bombs were sent to Maghaberry high security prison in Co Antrim and further letter bombs were discovered in postal delivery sorting offices in Derry/Londonderry and Lisburn.
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Prior to that a series of letter bombs were sent to Army recruiting offices in England blamed on dissidents.
- In 2013 dissidents also sent a series of letter bombs to high-profile political and security figures in Northern Ireland, including Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers, the Public Prosecution Service in Derry and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) chief constable Matt Baggott.
- Most of the devices were intercepted at Royal Mail Delivery Offices in Belfast and Lisburn.
The spate of letter bombs were said to have marked the re-emergence of a terror tactic that was used by paramilitaries during the Troubles.
The news item to the left is from 1982 and before the current N.Ireland peace agreement. It is a reminder of just what is at at stake and what Trade Union members had to put up with as they went about their employment. Click the pic to read the full story (PDF 
)
The Union ask that all of its Safety Reps and workplace Reps urge staff to be vigilant and on the lookout for suspicious packages and to report them without delay and to follow the ‘Be Aware’ procedures.
Source: CWU LTB529/15
