AN explosive device found at a popular seaside village on the Glens of Antrim tourist route was "viable", police have confirmed.
Those behind the bomb that sparked a security alert in Cushendun have been condemned for reckless disregard of life.
Army bomb experts were sent to the scene at Glendun Road on Sunday morning.
The area was later declared safe and the explosive was removed for forensic examination.
Oliver McMullan, Sinn Féin MLA for East Antrim, condemned those behind the incident.
"Cushendun is quiet town which is however a popular visiting spot for tourists at this time of year travelling along the Antrim coastline and to the Glens, especially with the recent good weather," he said.
"For anyone to leave an explosive device on one of the main roads in and out of the town is sheer recklessness and shows absolute disregard for the residents of this town and passers-by."
He added: "There is no logic to this act and those behind it need to realise there is no support for this type of action.
"I would urge anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area to report that to the PSNI."
The PSNI appealed for anyone with information to get in touch.
The incident comes just weeks after it emerged that police are investigating death threats against members of an alleged drug gang operating in the area.
Seven people were warned they are under threat from the Continuity IRA after being accused of operating a drug gang in nearby Cushendall, Waterfoot and Carnlough.
The threat was issued to the men using a codeword and has since been passed to police who are believed to have warned those named that they area under threat.
Mr McMullan said it was not known if the viable device is connected to the threats, but added that the incidents are not supported by the local community.
"People in the Glens of Antrim do not want this sort of thing on their doorsteps. This is a peaceful community. This sort of thing, we don't want it," he said.
