Pipe bomb found near Strabane playground

A viable pipe bomb has been discovered near a playground in Strabane in Tyrone.

Police were made aware of the suspicious device on Thursday at 5pm. It follows a telephone warning that a device had failed to explode at the town’s police station on Wednesday night.

The bomb was found at the perimeter fence close to Courtrai Park in Strabane.

Police area commander Andy Lemon condemned those responsible.

“This is another example of the cowardly element in our society who show no regard for our local residents or police force,” he said.

“With the warm weather and school holidays the park is becoming busier, and it does not bear thinking about what could have happened had a child at the park discovered the device before anyone became aware of the potential danger.”