15 homes evacuated after two pipe bombs found

A large number of houses in Moneymore had to be evacuated last Thursday night after two viable pipe bombs and the parts for a third was discovered at a home in the estate.

THE discovery was made late on Thursday evening during the planned search of a house in the estate by gardaí.

Two viable pipe bombs and the components for a third were found during the operation.

The homes adjacent to the house, which is situated at the end of a terrace, as well as those behind and in front of it, were immediately evacuated.

The area was sealed off and the army Bomb Disposal Unit was called in.

The two devices were made safe before being brought to the army base in Cathal Brugha Street where they were disassembled and disposed of.

Local families remained out of their homes for a number of hours while the operation was carried out.