Bomb discovery at laying of wreath

A security alert that disrupted a Remembrance Day wreathlaying ceremony in Omagh, Northern Ireland, yesterday was caused by a viable pipe bomb device, police said.

Chief Constable George Hamilton said his officers were following a “strong line of enquiry” that dissident republicans were responsible. A dissident republican Real IRA blast killed 29 in the busy market town in 1998.

Democratic Unionist Party leader Arlene Foster tweeted: “On a day we remember the carnage of Enniskillen 30 years ago it is disgusting that Remembrance Sunday in Omagh was disrupted by those who left a suspicious device in the town.”

The device was discovered close to a war memorial before a Remembrance Sunday parade took place. The march was diverted and the wreathlaying at the Co Tyrone town’s cenotaph was postponed after the area was sealed off following the discovery of the device.

Chief Inspector Graham Dodds said: “This is a sickening attempt by cowards to create fear and disruption on a day when many gather to pay their respects to the brave men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice.”