Bomb defused at party office

Police cordoned off the area

Army bomb experts have carried out a controlled explosion on a device in west Belfast.

It was left at the offices of Republican Sinn Fein in the Beechmount area of the Falls Road.

It is understood the package contained an explosive substance attached to an alarm clock.

A number of other items have been taken away for examination.

A member of staff found the package on Monday morning as they arrived to open the office.

Police cordoned off the area and Army bomb disposal experts were called in.

No group has claimed responsibility for leaving the device.

Republican Sinn Fein is the political wing of the Continuity IRA.

Last week, a letter bomb partially exploded inside the Ulster Unionist Party's headquarters in east Belfast.

No-one was injured in the incident at Cunningham House on the Holywood Road on Monday.

The package was addressed to party leader David Trimble.