Enniskeen pipe bomb: Man is arrested after explosion

A man injured after a pipe bomb partially exploded in Craigavon has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, police have said.

The incident happened at about 21:30 GMT in the Enniskeen area on Tuesday.

The man suffered non-life threatening injuries to his chest and hands and had to be taken to hospital for treatment.

A number of homes were evacuated, but residents have since been allowed to return.

Det Insp Simpson said the alert was triggered after police received a report of an explosion at the rear of a house in the estate.

"Upon arrival officers found a man in the vicinity of where the explosion was reported to have occurred being treated by paramedics for injuries received after the device exploded," he said.

"The injured man, who has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and possession of an explosive device with intent to endanger life, currently remains in hospital receiving treatment for his injuries which are described as not life threatening."

Remnants of a pipe bomb-type device have been taken away for forensic examination, the officer added.

The security alert is now over and police thanked local residents for their patience during the incident.

An Enniskeen estate resident described hearing a "very large bang" shortly before 21:30 on Tuesday, which he believed was a pipe bomb explosion.

He added that a while later, the police helicopter flew over the area.

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart told BBC News NI the people of Enniskeen had been subjected to attacks for quite some time and did not want them to continue.

Ms Lockhart described the explosion as "a very worrying development".

The Democratic Unionist Party politician praised St Saviour's Church for providing shelter to people whose homes were evacuated and called on anyone with information about the attack to contact police.

"Obviously information is key to answering all the questions as to what happened in Enniskeen," she said.

"Those who cause hurt and disruption in our communities must be brought to justice."

SDLP councillor Thomas Larkham said: "This is the last thing that anyone in Enniskeen wants or needs.

"This is a close-knit community full of people trying to get on with their lives during a difficult time for us all."

Alliance Party councillor Eóin Tennyson said: "The patience of residents who have had to leave their homes as police work to make the area safe is greatly appreciated.

"Those behind this have nothing to offer only misery and destruction."

Mr Tennyson added: "These kinds of devices have no place in our streets, there's no support in the community for this kind of activity.

"I would utterly condemn those responsible, they've been reckless in their behaviour and have shown total disregard for local residents."