Bomb found near army base

Army technical experts are examining the scene

The security forces are examining a mortar bomb following an attack on Bessbrook Army base in south Armagh.

Security sources say the bomb has been found in the yard of a commercial premises, following reports of a "loud bang" just before 2200 BST on Tuesday.

It is believed that it may be a so-called barrack buster device.

Earlier, a mortar tube was found inside a vehicle in the car park of a community centre, close to the Army base.

Around 80 homes in the area were evacuated.

There were no reports of damage or injuries following the attack.

What they are doing is in direct defiance of the will of the people

Dr John Reid Northern Ireland Secretary

More than 20 families spent the night with friends and relatives in the village after being moved from their homes.

Assistant Chief Constable Stephen White condemned the act of "reckless violence".

Speaking from the scene he said: "Yet again we have courageous police officers and soldiers doing their duty, protecting the lives of those put at risk in this mixed community following an act of reckless violence.

"Those who launched this attack would have been aware when they placed this device close to a busy community centre that they were putting at risk the lives of those inside."

Ulster Unionist Party Assembly member Danny Kennedy, who lives nearby, said: "It appears a van was left abandoned and a missile has been fired from it."

The attack has also been condemned by Northern Ireland Secretary of State John Reid and the First and Deputy First Ministers David Trimble and Seamus Mallon.

Dr Reid said: "These attacks are carried out by people who have no democratic mandate, no sympathy and no support, North or South.

Attack condemned

"What they are doing is in direct defiance of the will of the people.

"They have no contribution to make to a better Northern Ireland."

In a joint statement, David Trimble and Seamus Mallon said: "We strongly condemn those who are responsible for last night's attack in Bessbrook.

"They have taken no interest in the careless risk to life and potential for injury created by such an indiscriminate action."

No group has admitted carrying out the attack but dissident republican paramilitaries have been linked to a number of similar incidents.

Explosives

In April, bomb disposal experts made safe a fully armed barrack buster mortar bomb packed with 90kg of high explosives found in County Tyrone.

The device, found inside an abandoned van near to Altmore Forest, between Dungannon and Carrickmore, was cleared after a three day security operation.

The incident was linked to dissident republican paramilitaries.

In January, dissident republican paramilitaries were blamed for a mortar bomb attack on a British Army base in Londonderry.

It landed a short distance inside the perimeter fence of Ebrington army barracks just after midnight on Monday, but failed to explode.

Meanwhile, the police said there would be severe disruption in the village while the follow-up security operation around Bessbrook Mill continued on Wednesday.