A car bomb left near a police station in Northern Ireland was “viable”, police said today.
The device near the gates of the barracks at Crossmaglen, south Armagh, consisted of a number of containers filled with flammable liquid left on the rear seat of the vehicle.
Army technical officers made it safe this afternoon after it was abandoned last night in the border town.
Chief Inspector Sam Cordner said: “Had this device exploded I have no doubt that anyone in the immediate area could have been killed or seriously injured.
“Whoever is responsible showed complete disregard for the lives of police officers and members of the local community".
“I would like to place on record my thanks to local people and their representatives for their patience and support during the operation to make this device safe.”
Police appealed for anybody with information about the red Peugeot 406 car to contact them.
Mr Cordner added: “Only by working together can local police and the people of Crossmaglen show these misguided individuals that incidents such as this have no place in today’s society.”
PA