A "beer keg explosive device" left at a popular south Armagh beauty spot was "designed to injure or kill".
Police said yesterday a suspicious object had been discovered at Newtown Road at Camlough Lake, just outside Camlough.
SDLP assembly member Justin McNulty last night said it was a "crude and viable device" which "could have killed".
"This is mindlessly reckless and has to be condemned outright. Those responsible are deluded if they think they have any support for their actions."
He said the discovery came just a week after a similar device was found at Clay Lake outside Keady.
"This incident must be condemned by all right-thinking people and those responsible need to realise their futile and life endangering acts have been rejected by the people of this island."
DUP assembly member William Irwin said the Camlough device was "a beer keg explosive".
"This is yet another reckless incident which is bringing yet further disruption and indeed risk to people in the area," he said.
"It certainly is worrying to see and it has obviously been designed to injure or kill."
He praised police and security forces for their "swift actions in dealing with this very real threat to public safety".
Slieve Gullion Sinn Féin councillor Oonagh Magennis said the alert caused serious inconvenience to residents and motorists.
"The person or persons involved in causing this scare for whatever reason have nothing to offer this community," she added.
Police said last night the Newtown Road was "likely to remain closed for some time".
Officers also sealed off a section of shoreline on the south shore of Lough Neagh near Maghery following the discovery of a suspicious object.
No roads were closed, but people were asked to avoid the area.
Police have appealed for information.
