Ulster Unionist Councillor Sonia Copeland has condemned last night’s incidents in which two pipe bomb type devices were found in the Strand Walk area of the Short Strand in East Belfast.
Councillor Copeland said:
"I unreservedly condemn whoever was responsible for the pipe bombs which were found in the vicinity of Strand Walk.
“There is simply no excuse for such behaviour and these attacks achieve nothing except to inconvenience local residents and disrupt normal daily life. As a result of last night’s incident homes were evacuated and the discovery of a second device this morning caused the closure of part of the Newtownards Road at Bridge End.
“Nobody in East Belfast supports this type of activity. There are very real problems which need to be addressed including poverty, social exclusion, racism, unemployment and educational under-achievement to name but a few.
“Attacks along the interface, from whatever source they come, must cease. People want to live their lives in peace and they deserve nothing less.”