Security tightened over attacks

There have been 11 pipe bomb attacks in the area

The police are to step up security on the north coast following an overnight pipe bomb attack.

A man escaped injury after the pipe bomb was thrown through the living-room window of the house at Glenmanus Park in Portrush at about midnight on Monday.

The device did not explode, and was made safe by army bomb experts.

There have been 11 pipe bomb attacks in the Coleraine-Portrush area this year.

Forensic examination

RUC chief inspector Nigel Kyle said some of them may be linked.

"It is a very busy tourist time and with the Milk Cup soccer tournament taking place at the moment it certainly does not help the situation within the community or create a situation where people would want to visit the area," he said.

Dessie Stewart: "There are good community relations"

The mayor of Coleraine, the SDLP's John Dallat, welcomed an assurance from the police that security would be stepped up.

"This campaign has gone on for too long and it has exhausted the patience of the vast majority of the population, both Protestant and Catholic.

"Our citizens are entitled to live in a normal society, free from terror groups.

"People must have the choice to live wherever they choose and it is unacceptable that these dictators take the right upon themselves to decide who stays and who goes."

Mr Dallat said the discovery of workshops making the weapons "would be welcomed by everyone".

Sense of community

The deputy mayor, Dessie Stewart of the Democratic Unionist Party, said there was a good sense of community in Portrush.

"We get on very well together and this doesn't help things," he said.

RUC's Nigel Kyle: "Busy tourist time"

"I can't understand why people want to come out and attack families."

Meanwhile, a car has been damaged in a pipe bomb attack in Ballymena.

The device exploded in a vehicle in the Shetland Park area.

The remains of the device and the car have been taken away for forensic examination.