Newtownabbey Ulster Unionist councillor Mark Cosgrove and South Antrim MLA Danny Kinahan have condemned the person or persons responsible for leaving a pipe bomb in the Ashford Lodge area of Newtownabbey earlier today.
Councillor Cosgrove, who is the Antrim & Newtownabbey Ulster Unionist Council group leader, said:
“Ashford Lodge is a quiet residential part of Newtownabbey, yet today its residents were forced to leave their homes as the Army investigated a suspect device which someone had decided to leave in the area.
“It is totally unacceptable that people should be inconvenienced and have their lives disrupted in this manner. There is absolutely no excuse for anyone engaging in this type of reckless and dangerous activity and it is a relief that no-one was injured or even killed by what I understand to have been a viable device.
South Antrim Ulster Unionist MLA Danny Kinahan said;
“I unreservedly condemn whoever was responsible for this incident. Once again innocent people have had their daily routine affected and their lives put in danger by criminals who simply must be caught.
“I would like to praise the security forces for their prompt and efficient action and I urge anyone who saw anything suspicious in the Ashford Lodge area, or who can assist the Police to catch those responsible, to please come forward immediately and ensure that today’s events are not repeated.”