Pipe bomb is found at GAA ground

A pipe bomb was found at the ground on the Ballela Road

A pipe bomb has been found at a GAA ground in County Down.

It was discovered during an overnight alert at the ground on the Ballela Road outside Banbridge.

Police have described the device as "viable" and it has now been removed by the Army.

The alert began at about 2100 GMT on Wednesday after a telephone warning. A male caller said a device had been left at the ground.

SDLP assembly member Dolores Kelly said the incident was despicable.

"Children and young people often go to the playing field for a kick around or a puck, and could have very easily come across this device with disastrous consequences.

"The entire community will strongly condemn this incident, and those responsible must desist in this type of threatening attack on a community facility," she said.

Police have appealed for anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the area on Wednesday evening to contact them.