Army bomb experts defuse pipe bomb device in west Belfast

POLICE have condemned dissident republicans for leaving pipe bombs devices which forced families out of their homes.

In west Belfast, a pipe bomb device was defused at Norfolk Parade in west Belfast.

The alert was sparked after a suspicious object was found and a number of residents had to leave their homes while Army technical officers examined it.

In Armagh, a suspicious object was found in the Alexander Avenue area of Armagh city around 5 am on Saturday morning.

As a result, Alexander Drive and Alexander Avenue were closed to traffic.

Residents evacuated from their homes were looked after in Orchard Leisure Centre.

Army technical officers were been tasked to the scene and said it was a viable device.

Chief Inspector Davy Beck said bomb “had the potential to kill or maim anyone who was near it”.

He added: “I believe the vast majority of the community here do not want this dangerous activity in their area.

“A number of homes had to be evacuated for over three hours this morning while ATO (Army technical officers) attended the object and I would like to thank the local community for their assistance and understanding throughout the operation.”

Sinn Fein councillor Caoimhin Mac Giolla Mhin said those who had left the device in Norfolk Parade were reckless and had no support.

Chief Inspector Davy Beck condemns those who left pipe bomb in Armagh

“This is a busy street with many families and elderly people living here, many of whom had to leave their homes for the duration of the night,” he said.

“Anyone could have found this device or been injured or worse had it gone off.”