Police are speculating as to who left the device on the Drumnaquoile Road not far from Castlewellan.
If it had exploded it could have caused significant loss of life. The bomb squad were on the scene quickly and the police closed the Ballylough Road area off and residents were evacuated.
Hazzard: comments on Castlewellan security alert
Commenting after police found a mortar tube during a security alert in Castlewellan, Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard said: “I welcome that these materials have been taken out of circulation and out of the hands of those who cause death and destruction in the community.
“There is absolutely no place for this type of activity in our society. Anyone with any information should bring it forward to Police.”
McGrath: mortar bomb preparation is unacceptable.
SDLP South Down MLA Colin McGrath has condemned the finding of a motar bomb tube and command wire on the Drumnaquoile Road near Castlewellan. Mr McGrath has said that the development is “both worrying and unacceptable.”
The South Down MLA commented: “This device could have brought serious harm to the people of our area and/or PSNI personnel. This was a disgraceful attempt to murder or injure most probably a passing PSNI patrol
“This behaviour had no place in the 70’s or 80’s and it certainly has no place now. People have moved on and these types of actions are not acceptable and have no support in our community.
“Those responsible need to accept that they progress no one’s agenda but their own and the wider community will condemn this activity and call for it to cease.”
