British army bomb experts yesterday defused a mortar bomb left close to the PSNI station in Keady, Co Armagh.
The device was made safe yesterday evening after it was discovered in a van abandoned in Davis Street.
A burned-out car that may have been used in the suspected dissident republican incident was found at the Border at Derrynoose.
PSNI chief inspector Ken Mawhinney said a “small group of criminal cowards” were responsible for the disruption and for placing a bomb that “had the potential to cause death and serious injury”. Those responsible “showed a reckless and callous disregard for the people of Keady”, he said.
“I am aware of some concerns within the community about our response to this incident, but I would like to reassure the people of Keady that an investigation was initiated and inquiries undertaken as soon as we received the initial report of this van.
“Dissident republicans are trying to flex their muscles in this area, and so far, thanks to the sterling work of the security services, they have been unsuccessful in carrying out an attack.”
Sinn Féin and the SDLP also condemned the incident.