Belfast bomb could have taken lives, police say

Police in the North say a suspicious object found in Belfast today was a small hand held explosive - that would have killed or seriously injured someone, had it detonated.

The device - which was discovered in waste ground at the back of a GAA club, off the Falls Road -has been removed from the scene for further examination.

Road closures in the area have been lifted and the majority of those evacuated from nearby houses have returned to their homes.

It comes less than 24 hours after a viable bomb was discovered under a car outside the courthouse in Derry last night.

Dissident Republicans are believed to be responsible for the bomb threat in Derry, but it is still not known who could be behind today's security alert in Belfast.