Ulster Unionist MP Danny Kinahan and local councillor Paul Michael have unreservedly condemned the people behind the pipe bomb which was found in the Ballydonaghy area of Crumlin and which caused serious disruption overnight.
Mr Kinahan said:
“I simply cannot imagine why anyone would leave a pipe bomb in a residential area of Crumlin without a thought or care for local people, especially children.
“At this stage it is unclear who was responsible, but no matter what the motivation was, this act must be condemned and the person or group responsible must be stopped.
Councillor Paul Michael said:
“Nothing was achieved last night except the fact that 40 homes were evacuated and local residents had their lives disrupted, including families, young children and elderly people.
“This type of activity has no place in the Northern Ireland of 2016. We are trying to build a peaceful and shared society and there is no place in that for anyone who would seek to cause harm to the community.
“The Police need the support of us all and I urge anyone who can assist them in tackling any form of criminal or paramilitary activity, to come forward and pass that information on immediately.”