A second viable pipe bomb was made safe today in west Belfast.
It was discovered at La Salle Park a short time after another device exploded outside a house in nearby St James Park.
The blast happened around 10pm yesterday. A man in the house at the time was not injured, although his van parked outside was badly damaged. The bomb was attached to a gate.
A number of people who had to leave their homes in both areas have been allowed to return.
Sinn Féin councillor for west Belfast Briege Brownlee condemned those behind the attack.
“Whoever is behind these devices has shown absolute disregard for this community,” she said.
“These are viable and dangerous devices. The first pipe bomb went of around 8pm and was attached to a gallon drum of petrol. The second, which was discovered only minutes later, was outside the home of another resident and is of a similar design.
“Anybody could have been passing these devices when they went off and this could had serious consequences with injuries or death. There are families with children in and about this community who are now rightly concerned at these events.
“Those responsible for the leaving of these pipe bombs must seriously consider their actions.
“They have attacked this entire community. The need now to come forward and explain what warped logic they had for these actions.
“St James has suffered enough over the period of the conflict without reckless actions such as this causing distress and upset.”
PA