Pipe bomb at Ebrington Street

The alert began following a report of a suspicious object being thrown into the rear yard of a house in Ebrington Street at around 12.10am today, Friday 29.

Army technical officers attended the scene and a controlled explosion was carried out just after 5.30am, Detective Sergeant Brian Reid said.

The object has now been declared as a viable pipe bomb type device.

“A number of houses were evacuated and the Clooney Centre was made available for anyone in need of shelter,” he said.

“The evacuated residents are now able to return to their homes.”

Emerson Street and Bond Street were closed to traffic for a while but have now reopened.

DS Reid said: “I would ask anyone with any information about this incident to contact detectives at Strand Road Police Station on the non emergency number 101.

“Or if someone would prefer to provide information without giving their details, they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111.”