Second attack in a week on 5G masts in west Belfast

A second 5G mast tower has been attacked in one week in west Belfast.

Police have said a 5G mast in the Stewartstown Road area was set alight deliberately shortly before 12.30am on Wednesday.

It comes after a 5G mast in the Springbank Industrial estate in Dunmurry was burned on Saturday.

Police have urged against the “dangerous and reckless” acts.

“We attended this alongside colleagues from Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service who worked to extinguish the blaze of a 5G mast tower which had been set alight deliberately,” a police spokesperson said.

“This is just one of a number of 5G masts that have been set on fire in recent months and we have attended two fires in less than a week to masts in the same area.

“I cannot stress enough how dangerous it is lighting fire to electrical equipment. Anyone setting an illegal fire is acting extremely recklessly and putting not only themselves, but also members of the public, at risk.

“The damage caused costs the mast-owners a substantial amount of money to correct, and affects the mobile phone service of the local community.”

They added: “We continue to engage with local representatives and the mast-owners around the issue.

“We would ask that anyone with information on these incidents contact us on 101 quoting reference 35 of 11/06/25.”

Belfast West MP Paul Maskey has urged those responsible to stop “harming our community”.

“Those involved in targeting vital infrastructure in west Belfast must end this reckless and destructive behaviour,” the Sinn Fein representative said.

“They are causing serious harm to our community and putting lives at risk.

“This is happening at a time when there is a clear and growing demand for better connectivity, with thousands of residents reporting poor mobile signal.

“I’m in London today to make the case directly to network providers that urgent investment is needed to upgrade infrastructure in areas that have been left behind.

“These disgraceful actions will not deter us from our campaign to secure better mobile coverage for our communities. Anyone with information should contact the PSNI.”