Bombs found in Derry

Two bombs were discovered near the centre of Derry today.

One was found hidden in a bag at railings close to the city council offices on Strand Road.

They are believed likely to have been left by dissident republicans involved in a series of previous attacks in Derry where properties have been bombed.

A member of a search and rescue team checking the banks of the River Foyle discovered the holdall before alerting police who called in Army explosives officers.

A number of houses were evacuated and traffic was diverted for a time.

Mark H Durkan, an SDLP member of the Northern Ireland Assembly said: “People who were out saving lives could have lost their own because of this.”

Meanwhile three men were being questioned today after police stopped two cars near Lurgan, Co Armagh. A gun was also recovered.