Surrounding properties were evacuated yesterday (25 June) for some time before police managed to remove the device for further examination.

Cllr Moore has said: “This was a downright sinister display of intimidation and the local community is united today in shock and horror.

“It shows a flagrant disregard for human life and public safety, both for those who live at the house where the device was found, and those in nearby properties who had to be evacuated.

“We can only be thankful, due in no small part to the swift and professional work of local PSNI, that nobody was killed or seriously injured, and I want to thank officers for their efforts.

“Those responsible for such reprehensible actions do not represent us, and I would encourage anyone who has any information that may help bring them to justice to contact police or report it anonymously via Crimestoppers without delay.”