A bomb which injured two boys at a horse racing event was designed to kill, police said today.
Dissident republican terrorists have been accused of planting the device packed with high explosives and nails inside a traffic cone in south Armagh.
Two 16-year-old boys received minor blast injuries to their lower legs and hands when it detonated at the Farmacaffley point-to-point meeting.
After examinations of the scene were completed today, PSNI Chief Inspector Mr Gary Hagan launched a scathing attack on the culprits.
He said: "This device was clearly designed to maim or kill and that was the sole intention of those who planted it.
"It matters nothing to them that two young boys were the victims of their evil designs."
The two teenagers were injured yesterday when one of the police cones set out to ease traffic at the event on the Newtownhamilton Road was moved.
Security sources have indicated the intended target was probably PSNI officers.
"A car was waiting to move and these two young lads have moved a cone sitting in front of it," one said.
"Those who planted it obviously were hoping police would be moving the cones but they have hit the wrong people."
Northern Ireland Secretary of State Dr John Reid has denounced those responsible for the attack as "the lowest of the low".
"These cowards have stooped to new depths in bombing two innocent teenagers at a sporting event," he said.
Mr Conor Murphy, a Sinn Fein member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for the area, pointed at dissident republican paramilitary involvement.
"If it is dissidents then they should disband at once," he said. "These people have nothing to offer, they have no strategy, no policies and no support."
Mr Danny Kennedy, an Ulster Unionist Assemblyman for Newry and Armagh, also blamed republicans for planting the bomb.
He said: "Given the location, given the background and the pattern of recent developments then I think it's clear the republican movement in some shape or form are responsible for this.
"The government have to defend law abiding people from this and have to ensure nothing that they do compromises overall security in the area."
PA
