Suspected pipe bomb left outside home in Coalisland

A SUSPECTED pipe bomb was left outside a home in a rural area outside Coalisland this morning.

Police evacuated homes in the Gortgonis Road area of Coalisland and the area was cordoned off.

A PSNI spokesperson said, “Police are currently at the scene of a suspicious object in the Gortgonis Road in Coalisland.

“A number of houses have been evacuated. Police are asking members of the public to avoid the area at this time.”

Torrent Councillor, Malachy Quinn, condemned those behind the planting of the device stating, “As far as I know a suspected pipe bomb was left outside the house of a well-known local man.

“I condemn this in the strongest terms. Residents don’t need this hassle on a Friday in the middle of January when they are trying to get on with their life.

“It’s a throwback to darker times.”

Sinn Fein MLA Linda Dillon said, “This is unacceptable. Nobody in this day and age should be having any device left at their home putting them, their family and those around them in danger.

“It’s not acceptable behaviour.”