Hoax bomb at councillor's home

A bottle of paint struck an upper window

An SDLP councillor in County Londonderry has vowed to continue with his work after a hoax bomb was left outside his house.

Councillor Billy Leonard was woken when a bottle of paint was thrown through an upstairs window of his home in High Road, Portstewart, just before 0100 BST on Tuesday.

Another bottle was hurled against an outside wall, striking a balcony.

When Mr Leonard went downstairs he found a black bag containing a tin box had been left outside his front door.

A battery, timer and pipe were found inside the box, but they were not connected.

"Obviously that was only confirmed after the Army fired a shot into the box and examined it themselves," he said.

Billy Leonard: Refused to be intimidated

Mr Leonard, who was at home with his wife and four boys aged between 10 and 17, said the activity had "nothing whatsoever to do with democracy".

"The people who come in the dark of night and attack a family home have nothing to offer," he added.

He said he would not be intimidated by the attackers.

The police said a package containing what appeared to have been a homemade incendiary explosive device had been left at the scene.

But they said after examination it was found to have been an "elaborate hoax".

Inspector Andrew Lemon said a sectarian motive had not been ruled out.

Ulster Unionist East Londonderry assembly member David McClarty has condemned the attack on Mr Leonard's home.

He said: "I condemn those who perpetrated this action. Sadly there is an element which is only too willing to engage in acts such as this."

East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell also condemned the incident.

"We could have been looking at a tragedy here with the loss of life," he said.

Police have appealed for anyone who witnessed suspicious activity to contact them at Coleraine.