ONH blamed for carrying out bomb attack in south Armagh

DETECTIVES have launched a murder inquiry after a man was injured in an explosion this afternoon.

The bomb went off outside the village of Crossmaglen in south Armagh.

Police believe it was planted by a group called Oglaigh na hEireann who are operating along the south Armagh/north Lough border.

Local Sinn Féin MP Conor Murphy said the man was injured when a device exploded close to his family home as he went to remove a poster.

Police said they received a report of an explosion and that a man had been injured.

He has since been taken to Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry but may be transferred to Belfast for specialist treatment.

Detectives from the PSNI’s Terrorist Investigation Unit based at Gough Barracks in Armagh have launched a murder bid investigation.

Mr Murphy said the man’s family had been threatened recently by “criminal gangs masquerading as republicans”.

“Police recently visited the family and told them there was a threat from this group,” he said.

“Now these people have attempted to kill a member of the family with a device placed close to their home.

“In recent months death threats have also been made against a number of Sinn Féin activists, including myself.

“Let me be absolutely clear; this was the work of a gang of criminals and I unreservedly condemn this latest cowardly action.”