Belfast Bomb Accused In Court With Armed Guard

There were jeers during the court appearance of a man accused of attempting to murder a prison officer by blowing up a van.

The device left a prison officer with leg injuries

Heavily armed police have been guarding a courtroom where a man has appeared charged with trying to murder a prison officer in Belfast. Christopher Alphonsos Robinson, 45, remained seated and yawned in court as the charges against him were read out. 

He is accused of placing an explosive device under a van, which went off when the vehicle was being driven over a speed bump in the east of the city. An unnamed prison officer a married father of three survived the blast but was left with severe leg injuries.


Following the explosion, police in Northern Ireland warned there may be more attacks ahead of the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising. They say they have thwarted a number of murder attempts since the van bombing.

In court, there were cheers and jeers from the public gallery as Robinson was led away from the dock in handcuffs. He is also charged with possessing an explosive with the intention to endanger life.
Robinson, from Aspen Park in Dunmurry, west Belfast, is due in court again on 1 April.