A pipe bomb was found in Ballymartin near Kilkeel in thexa0early hours of Thursday morning (5 September).
Duringxa0thexa0securityxa0alert,xa0residents in the Ballykeel Court area of xa0Ballymartin were moved from their homes as an army technical xa0officer xa0examined the viable device.
A police spokesperson said the object xa0secured by an ATO on the scene. The device was rendered safexa0andxa0was later taken away from the scene for closer examination and tests.
Roads werexa0later opened and residents were allowed to return to their homes once the area was declaredxa0safe.
SDLPxa0MP for South Down Margaret Ritchie has responded to the Pipe Bomb alert saying:xa0“I want to condemn those behind a pipe bomb which was found during a security alert in the village of Ballymartin, County Down. Those responsible are showing a reckless disregard for human life. “The alert caused a great deal of inconvenience to residents who were moved from their home following the alert at Ballykeel Court. Families would no doubt have been deeply upset by the disruption. “The people of South Down deserve to go about their everyday lives in peace and certainly without a threat to the safety of them or their children. “I would urge anyone with information regarding this attack to come forward to the Police and assist them with their enquiries.” SDLPxa0Councillor Brian Quinn added:xa0“The reprehensible behaviour of a delusional minority, who are jeopardising the safety of our community, is to be totally condemned. “I fully support the police in their efforts to bring those behind this pipe bomb to justice at the soonest possible opportunity.”]]>
