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300lb car bomb found in village Car bomb found in security alert
(about 3 hours later)
A 300lb car bomb has been found in Castlewellan, County Down, on Saturday. A 300lb car bomb has been found in County Down five days after a telephoned warning claimed a device had been left in Castlewellan village.
It follows a five-day security alert when a telephoned warning on Tuesday claimed a bomb had been left in the village. Security forces discovered an abandoned car on Dublin Road on Saturday. Several controlled explosions were carried out on what police called "suspect items".
Security forces discovered an abandoned car on the Dublin Road and several controlled explosions were carried out on what police called "suspect items". It is thought the bomb was planted by dissident republicans who were trying to target the Ballykinler army base.
Supt Greg Blain said those responsible had shown a "callous disregard" for people's lives. Supt Greg Blain said it could have caused "substantial... loss of life".
It is thought the car-bomb was abandoned by dissident republicans, who were trying to target the Ballykinler army base. "This is a large explosive device," said Supt Blain, adding that its detonation would have caused "substantial damage and loss of life".
"They planted a large viable device in a car, abandoned it in an area close to local houses and schools, and then phoned through vague warnings about the locality and nature of the threat," said Supt Blain. Supt Blain said someone claiming to be a member of a dissident republican organisation had called a local newspaper to warn about the bomb. We are not going back to the past - even if they are locked in it Margaret Ritchie MLA
"They placed the lives of every man, woman and child in the area at risk and simply have nothing to offer society." "They... abandoned it in an area close to local houses and schools, and then phoned through vague warnings about the locality and nature of the threat," he said.
A police spokesperson said the forensic and clean-up operation may take another few hours. "They placed the lives of every man, woman and child in the area at risk."
South Down Stormont Assembly member Margaret Ritchie said those behind the bomb deserved nothing but contempt from the community.
"For five days [people in the area] have been worried and suffered massive inconvenience, having to take long detours to get to work or bring children to school.
"Those who planted it should be in absolutely no doubt - we are not going back to the past, even if they are locked in it."