Family ‘shocked and shaken' after pipe bomb explosion outside house in Armagh
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Police are investigating a pipe bomb explosion that occurred in Armagh in the early hours of Friday morning.
A loud explosion was heard outside a property in the Sliabh Mor area of Mullaghbawn at approximately 1am.
It's believed that the pipe bomb was thrown at the front of a house around 00:30, which subsequently exploded causing substantial damage to windows and an outdoor railing.
The device has been taken away for further examination as detectives try to establish a motive for the attack.
News Catch Up - Friday 27th June
Detective Sergeant Johnson said: 'The occupants of property are a young family who were fortunately not harmed, though they are understandably left shocked and shaken by this incident.'
"Devices of this type can cause damage over a wide area causing destruction far beyond any intended target.'
"Enquiries are continuing and we would appeal to anyone who saw any persons or vehicles acting suspiciously in the area, or who may have CCTV or dashcam footage to contact detectives on 101, quoting reference number 58 of 27/06/25.'
A public safety operation was put in place following a report of the discovery of a suspicious device shortly before 1am this morning.
The security alert in the Sliabh Mor area has since ended and all roads have now re-opened.
Meanwhile, a security alert in Derry/Londonderry ended last night after the device was declared a hoax.
Yesterday afternoon, afternoon, police said officers were investigation a 'suspicious device' reported to the PSNI in the Trench Road area of the city.
Cordons have been lifted after a local primary school, multiple homes and shops were evacuated as emergency services investigated the device.
Chief Inspector Cathal Pearce said: ''Officers along with Ammunition Technical Officers attended and examined the object, which was determined as a hoax device and has since been removed for forensic examination.
'I would like to thank the public for their patience and cooperation while searches were carried out, we appreciate this has caused inconvenience, but public safety is our priority.'
Police had said the report was made to them at around 11.20am on Thursday morning and a cordon was put in place at Knockwellan Park.
A PSNI statement said yesterday afternoon: "A number of commercial premises in the area have been evacuated, in addition to homes in Knockwellan Park, as well as in Cromkill Place as part of the public safety operation.
"We understand the disruption this has caused, especially for those directly impacted.'
Hillcrest Trust Community Centre was opened as a rest centre.
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