Neil Lennon bomb police officers question drivers

Devices were sent to Neil Lennon (L), Trish Godman and Paul McBride QC

Police investigating parcel bombs sent to Celtic manager Neil Lennon and two high-profile fans are to stop and question motorists in North Ayrshire.

Officers will approach pedestrians and drivers in Victoria Road, Saltcoats, and Fergushill Road, Kilwinning, between 1500 and 1800 BST.

Four "viable" devices were sent to Mr Lennon, his lawyer Paul McBride QC and former MSP Trish Godman.

Another was sent to Glasgow-based Irish republican group Cairde Na h'Éireann.

The first suspect package addressed to Mr Lennon was intercepted by Royal Mail staff at a sorting office in Saltcoats on 4 March.

Another suspect package addressed to the Celtic manager was intercepted at Kirkintilloch sorting office on 26 March.

Politician targeted

Two days later, the third package was delivered to the constituency office of the former deputy presiding officer of the Scottish Parliament, Trish Godman.

On 15 April, a further package, addressed to Mr McBride, was intercepted by Royal Mail staff at a post box on Montgomery Terrace, Kilwinning.

The final package, addressed to Cairde Na h'Éireann, was discovered on 26 April at the National Return Letter Centre in Belfast. It is believed to have been sent at the end of March.

The fifth package caused a security alert in Belfast

Ch Sup Ruaraidh Nicolson, of Strathclyde Police, said he hoped Friday's operation to question pedestrians and motorists would help generate fresh information for the investigation.

"Hopefully we can jog their memories about something they may have seen or heard which could assist our inquiries," he said.

"A team of officers is currently working on this inquiry in an attempt to identify those responsible for sending these suspect packages.

"Although we have had a good response from the public, I know that there are people out there who have not yet come forward for whatever reason, and I would again urge them to contact police."

Police are still carrying out inquiries to trace a young couple who were seen boarding a Stagecoach bus in Montgomerie Terrace, Kilwinning, at about 1410 BST on 15 April.

The man is described as white, in his early 20s, with dark coloured hair. He was wearing a light blue and white top with horizontal stripes and jeans.

The woman is described as white, in her early 20s, and was wearing a dark coloured padded jacket.