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Police investigate pipe bomb attacks in Coalisland and west Belfast

Police are investigating pipe bomb attacks in Coalisland and west Belfast
Police are investigating pipe bomb attacks in Coalisland and west Belfast Police are investigating pipe bomb attacks in Coalisland and west Belfast

POLICE are investigating pipe bomb attacks on homes in Co Tyrone and west Belfast.

A device was thrown at a property on the Stewartstown Road in Coalisland on Wednesday at around 10pm. It is believed the device, which was viable, may have been thrown from a passing car.

Police said no-one was injured and have appealed for "anyone who may have noticed any suspicious activity or vehicles in the area at the time" to contact them.

It is not known if either attack is linked to paramilitaries.

SDLP councillor Malachy Quinn described the attack as "disgusting and senseless".

"This was a viable device that had only one purpose and that was to maim and injure.

"This is a busy part of the town and even at that time of night there are cars and people coming home from nights out that could been caught up in any explosion. The people involved in this attack offer nothing to the community and they should be ashamed of their actions.

"While I am thankful that no-one was hurt in this incident there was a lot of disruption cause to local residents and people trying to get home with road closures.

"The people living on the Stewartstown Road do not want this type of activity in their area and it must be rejected at all times."

Meanwhile, a pipe bomb was also thrown at a property in the Colinbrook Park area of Dunmurry in the outskirts of west Belfast.

Police said the front window pane of a house was smashed at around 3am yesterday. No-one was injured.

Sinn Féin assembly member Órlaithí Flynn condemned the attack.

"This attack in a built-up area endangered the local residents," she said.

"There can be no justification for this attack and I would appeal to anyone with information to contact the police.

"My party colleague Stephen Magennis has been at the scene and we are engaging with the police to keep the local area updated."