Pipe bomb was 'intended to kill'

A pipe bomb thrown into the nationalist Short Strand area in east Belfast today was intended to kill Catholics, Sinn Fein said.

Local residents claimed the device was thrown from the predominantly loyalist Cluan Place into Clandeboye Gardens during minor disturbances in the area at around 3pm.

Sinn Fein councillor Joe O’Donnell said: ‘‘Those who threw this pipe-bomb had one intention and that was to kill nationalists.

‘‘While there has been ongoing attacks against nationalists over the past number of years, it is clear that the past two weeks has seen a serious escalation in these attacks culminating in today’s attack here and last night’s killing in north Belfast.’’

The Army technical officer cordoned off the area for several hours and a number of homes were evacuated during the alert.

A police spokesman said: ‘‘ATO have cleared the area. The device has been described as a ‘viable device’ and has been recovered and will be taken back for examination.’’