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Elderly woman treated for shock after pipe explodes outside her home

Damage caused to door and hallway of house in Craigavon

An elderly woman had to be treated for shock after a pipe bomb exploded outside her home.

Police received a report of the incident at around 12.20am today (Thursday).

It happened in the Burnside area of Craigavon.

Police say that the pip device detonated, causing damage to the door and hallway.

An elderly female resident received treatment for shock.

Upper Bann DUP MLA Carla Lockhart condemned those behind the attack.

She said: “This is just horrific. This type of behaviour is reckless. We could be dealing with a death or a serious injury.

“The community does not want this type of activity in the area.”

SDLP councillor Declan McAlinden added: “This incident is an absolutely cowardly attack in the dead of night on a 65-year-old elderly woman’s home which could have ultimately led to serious injury or death”.

“In simple term we could have been dealing with a murder here today and that is not acceptable.”

SDLP Craigavon representative Thomas Larkham said: “I visited the home of the victim this morning to offer any help or support. She was clearly still very shaken up and distressed by this whole ordeal.

“The message is very clear that the people of Craigavon do not want to be dragged back to the past.

“For a number of years now the people of Brownlow have worked tirelessly with the PSNI and other statutory agencies to erode the bad name associated with Craigavon and these types of mindless actions fly in the face of that good work and must stop immediately.

“The SDLP will be seeking an urgent meeting with the PSNI in relation to this and other incidents of a similar nature which have occurred within the Brownlow area over the last few months.”

Sinn Fein spokesperson Michael Tallon continued: ““This is the latest such attack involving criminal gangs who are intent on killing someone.

“I would urge anyone with information to contact the PSNI.
“Sinn Féin will be meeting the police in regards this and other serious incidents in the area.”

Police, meanwhile, are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Anyone who can help is asked to get in touch with the detectives at Lurgan on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference number 19 of 7th March.. Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to the Crimestoppers charity 0800 555 111.

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