Viable Pipe Bomb Found Near Primary School In North Belfast

The PSNI has slammed those involved after a viable bomb was found near a primary school in north Belfast.

A device was discovered in the Herbert Street area of Ardoyne on Sunday, 23 April.

The area was sealed off and residents and children had to be evacuated from their homes.

The security alert has ended and the device has been sent off for forensic examination.

PSNI Chief Superintendent Chris Noble said the bomb was "intended to kill community police officers".

He said: "My view is that this was absolutely an attempt by violent dissident republicans to kill police officers but it was also very much an anti-community act.

"The people living in this area were placed at great risk. Had this device not been found when it had, there is no telling what we may have been dealing with. Young children would have been walking right past that device tomorrow morning, families reside in this area and children play outside.

"The misguided individuals behind this device are seriously out of step with this community and clearly don’t care about the lives of those living in Ardoyne or the danger and disruption they have brought to their doorsteps. Placing this device, where they did, beside a school shows the contempt and disregard they hold this community in.

"Many families with young children, older people, the sick and 'those with significant disabilities had to leave their homes in the middle of the night last night. Police and community representatives stepped in to make sure these people had somewhere to go and were kept safe while those responsible for all of this were absent, likely safe in their beds.

"As a police service we will not be deterred by such acts nor by the small number of individuals behind them. We will keep doing our job, keeping people safe and tackling the things people in Ardoyne are demanding we tackle - burglary, anti-social behaviour and drug dealing."

Sinn Féin MLA for North Belfast Gerry Kelly said: "This was a viable device left in a built up residential area which was designed to kill. I condemn it outright.

"Those behind it have no regard whatsoever for this community and they need to end these futile acts.

"This was left at the gate of a school, yards from peoples homes on a busy walkway. Anyone could have been passed this bomb.

"I welcome the fact that this device was found before it killed or injured somebody and anyone with information should bring it to the PSNI."

(CD)