Hi °C | Lo °C A ‘viable’ 100lb bomb has been removed from a hedge in a south Armagh border village following a 24-hour security alert.
A senior police officer condemned those who planted the device, saying they had shown “callous disregard” for human life.
Army technical officers were called to Jonesboro on Saturday after a suspicious device was discovered in a hedge. Finnegans Road and Molly Road were cordoned off while the Army dealt with it.
A PSNI spokeswoman confirmed that a “viable explosive device” was made safe and removed for further forensic examination.
The finger of suspicion has been pointed at dissident republicans.
Area commander Chief Inspector Sam Cordiner said: “Those responsible for planting this device and whose misguided attempt to inflict death, injury and destruction, for whatever reason, have nothing to offer anyone in our community.
“They have shown a callous disregard for human life and have no concerns for the wishes of the people of Northern Ireland who want to live in a peaceful society.
“Fortunately, this device didn’t detonate but it was a viable device that could have caused death, serious injury and damage to property.”
Meanwhile, residents in north Belfast were warned to be vigilant after a bomb was found on Saturday. A security alert began in the Silverstream Road area after a suspicious object was found outside a house. The road was closed while the ‘viable device’ was examined.
