Members of a the UVF loyalist paramilitary group have been accused by police of being behind a recent spate of pipe bomb attacks.
The UVF are technically regarded as being on ceasefire by authorities in Northern Ireland. But security forces think members of the group are responsible for three pipe bomb finds in Co Derry in as many days.
The latest device was discovered and made safe by army bomb experts who carried out two controlled explosions near Maghera. Two other suspicious objects were being examined in the area.
Supt Terry Shevlin said a warning had been received by a group claiming to be the South Londonderry Protestant Volunteer Force. He said: "This group is basically a cover name for a local UVF group in south Derry".
Local SDLP Assembly member Mr Denis Haughey said: "It is extremely worrying that there are still significant elements out there in the population who seem to be determined to plunge us all back into violence".
PA