Fire bomb defused near Carrickfergus Castle

British army bomb disposal experts today defused an incendiary bomb near one of Northern Ireland’s biggest tourist attractions.

A member of the public stumbled upon the firebomb on the shore around 12.15pm near Carrickfergus Castle in Co Antrim.

The viable device was defused and taken away for further examination.

Detectives in Carrickfergus asked for anyone with information about the incendiary bomb which was found on the Larne side of the castle or who saw any suspicious activity to come forward with information.

The 12th century Norman Castle, situated at Carrickfergus harbour, is a popular attraction for tourists and schoolchildren.

It was built in the late 1180s and has a four-storey tower which is 90-feet high with a second-storey entrance.