Firefighters responded to a deliberately set fire at a 5G mast located in the Springbank Industrial Estate of Poleglass, west Belfast, on Saturday afternoon. Emergency services arrived on the scene around 2:30 PM, utilizing two fire appliances and an aerial platform to combat the blaze, which was reported shortly after 2:40 PM. Detective Sergeant McVeagh confirmed that the incident is being treated as a case of deliberate ignition.
Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey condemned the incident as “ludicrous” and highlighted that this vandalism undermines efforts to improve mobile coverage in the community. He pointed out that a recent Sinn Féin survey revealed that 87 percent of respondents in west Belfast reported poor mobile signal quality, with only a small fraction indicating good or excellent service.
The attack on the 5G mast marks an alarming increase in unrest surrounding telecommunication infrastructure, as more than twelve 5G masts have been destroyed in the past two years in the area. This follows a coordinated series of attacks in June 2023, where five masts were set ablaze within a four-hour period, and a similar incident occurred in June 2024 affecting a mast on Distillery Street. The destruction not only disrupts services but also poses significant challenges for local residents, as highlighted by stories from individuals who have missed crucial communications due to inadequate mobile reception.
As the police investigation into these arson attacks continues, local authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward. Efforts to enhance mobile connectivity in west Belfast remain a priority, with community leaders advocating for an improvement in infrastructure to better serve the area’s residents.
While the ongoing attacks create a challenging situation, there is hope that increased awareness surrounding these issues will lead to more robust protective measures for telecommunication assets and ultimately improve the connectivity that residents desperately need.