Detectives investigating the discovery of pipe bombs in the playgrounds of two Catholic schools in Co Derry yesterday morning believe the devices were planted by loyalist paramilitaries.
Both bombs consisted of metal piping about six inches in length. They had explosives packed into them and a bolt was attached to one end of each device.
The devices were discovered in the playgrounds of St Mary's High School, Limavady, and St Patrick's College, Dungiven, and were made safe by British army technical officers. PSNI Insp Bob Morrissey said the two devices were pipe bombs but neither had a detonator attached.
"It is an absolute disgrace that people have decided to target children in such a manner and to deny them of their education," he said.
"The putting of children's lives and of teachers' lives at risk is really a new low.
"Both of these devices had the detonator component missing, but if one of the pupils had picked one of them up and perhaps brought it home or into the school, it's awful to think what could have happened.
"At the very least, the planting of these two explosives caused maximum disruption to hundreds of schoolchildren, to their teachers and to their parents," he said.
The 59 staff members and almost 900 students who attend St Mary's High School were evacuated into a hall at the rear of the building during the operation to make the bomb safe.
Meanwhile, 10 miles away in Dungiven, the 27 teachers and almost 400 students at St Patrick's College were prevented from entering the college after the device was found by the school caretaker.