Dissidents to blame for bomb attack

Device lands beside OAP in her bed

A PENSIONER had a miraculous escape when a pipe bomb which landed beside her in bed failed to explode.

Dissident republicans have been blamed for throwing the device through the window of the 65-year-old’s house.

The incident at Melmount Villas in Strabane, Co Tyrone, took place on Sunday night but was not reported to police until the following evening.

The device was made safe by Army Technical Officers and recovered by the PSNI for further examination. Chief Insp Alan Hutton said the attack is being treated as attempted murder.

He added: “There can be no justification whatsoever for a bomb being thrown through anyone’s window, let alone a vulnerable lady’s house.

“This is stooping to a new low and I feel for the lady today when she thinks through what could have happened. Thankfully it didn’t explode or we could have been looking at something different.”

Chief Insp Hutton said the device was “removed by another person and thrown into a nearby hedge”.

He added: “I will fairly and squarely point the finger at violent dissident republicans.

“This was a reckless attack on the local community which could have caused serious harm. Those who

STRABANE YESTERDAY

very threw this device have clearly no regard for the people living here.

“This is a very small minority of people who have carried out this attack and I am appealing for the community’s support in identifying the perpetrators and bringing them to justice.”

Alliance representative Stephen Donnelly said: “Someone could have easily been seriously injured or killed.

“This is now twice in the past month there have been incidents involving viable devices in Strabane and local people are sick of it.”