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Pipe bomb explodes outside young family's home

PA Media PSNI crest.PA Media
Police received a report of a loud explosion outside a property in the Sliabh Mor area at about 01:00 (BST) on Friday morning

A pipe bomb exploded in front of a house in Mullaghbawn outside Newry in County Armagh.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said they received a report of a loud explosion outside a property in the Sliabh Mor area at about 01:00 (BST) on Friday.

The occupants of the property are a young family who were not harmed but they were left "shocked and shaken".

The device has been taken away for further examination and detectives are keen to establish a motive for the attack.

Detective Sergeant Johnston said: "It is believed at this time that a device in the form of a pipe bomb was thrown at the front of a house around 00:30 which subsequently exploded causing substantial damage to windows and an outdoor railing.

"Devices of this type can cause damage over a wide area causing destruction far beyond any intended target.

"Enquiries are continuing and police are appealing for anyone who saw any persons or vehicles acting suspiciously in the area, or who may have CCTV or dashcam footage to contact them."