Bomb defused at controversial Antrim bridge

A bomb planted at a new £18 million bridge in Northern Ireland was defused today.

A bomb planted at a new £18 million bridge in Northern Ireland was defused today.

British army explosives experts were called in during a major security alert at Toome, Co Antrim, earlier.

A police spokeswoman confirmed they had dealt with a device left at the new construction which has been at the centre of a naming controversy.

She added: "The device has been described as viable and police have appealed for anyone with information to come forward."

READ MORE

The security operation came just 24 hours after republicans and nationalists clashed again over what the new bridge should be called.

Sinn Féin wanted it named after United Irishman Roddy McCorley while their rivals in the SDLP insisted it should instead honour their former leader and Nobel peace prize winner Mr John Hume.