Minister condemns pipe bomb attackers

A Northern Ireland Office minister tonight condemned those who planted a pipe bomb under a Sinn Féin member’s van.

Security Minister Ian Pearson hit out at those responsible for placing the device planted outside the home of Michael Agnew in Ballymena, Co Antrim.

Loyalist paramilitaries were today being blamed for the attack which occurred in Dunfane Avenue.

Fitted with a timing device, it was discovered around 6am.

Neighbours had to be evacuated while a controlled explosion was carried out.

Mr Agnew said: “This is just part of an escalating campaign of attacks on republicans in this area.

“There is no doubt loyalists are behind it.”

Bomb experts were also called to another part of the town after a suspect device was discovered under a car at Sunningdale Park.

Mr Pearson condemned those responsible.

“Attacks such as this are attacks on the community as a whole,” he said.