5G mast in west Belfast deliberately set on fire

A total of 18 attacks on 5G masts have taken place in the last two years, like this one in west Belfast in 2024

A fire at a 5G mast in west Belfast on Monday night is being treated as deliberate, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has said.

Police received a report of the fire at about 23:50 BST at the Kilwee Business Park in the Upper Dunmurry Lane Area and firefighter extinguished the fire.

In a statement police added that "some damage was caused to electronics in a nearby building".

It follows a recent series of arson attacks on 5G masts, mostly in west Belfast, bringing the total to 18 since June 2023.

Most of the attacks took place between January 2023 and December 2024, there were 13 incidents involving masts in west Belfast, the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) has said.

Last month, the PSNI said they were engaging in "proactive patrolling" of 5G masts in order to "provide greater security" around these sites after another spike in attacks.

Sinn Féin's Paul Maskey says these actions are damaging the community

Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey has called the PSNI to "step up to the mark and bring those responsible to justice".

"These reckless actions are damaging our community, disconnecting people and putting lives at risk.

"It's time for those involved in these attacks to recognise the harm they are causing and to stop," he added.

'Damages vital infrastructure'

Belfast's Deputy Lord Mayor Paul Doherty, from the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), described the attack on Upper Dunmurry Lane as a "disgraceful act of destruction that put lives at risk and damages vital infrastructure".

"These attacks are becoming more frequent and more coordinated, and those behind them must be brought to justice."

"Too many people are suffering here as a result of this madness," he added.