Bomb defused in N. Ireland

The army in Northern Ireland have defused a car bomb left near a police station that could have killed had it exploded, police said yesterday.

The device, which consisted of containers filled with flammable liquid on the rear seats of a vehicle, was left near the gates of the barracks at Crossmaglen, south Armagh, late Saturday.

"Had this device exploded I have no doubt that anyone in the immediate area could have been killed or seriously injured," said Chief Inspector Sam Cordner.

"Whoever is responsible showed complete disregard for the lives of police officers and members of the local community.

"I would like to place on record my thanks to local people and their representatives for their patience and support during the operation to make this device safe."

The bomb was abandoned in a red Peugeot 406 car in Crossmaglen, a village in the British province of Northern Ireland near the border with the Republic of Ireland.

Chief Inspector Cordner appealed for help to track down those who planted the device, urging local people to "show these misguided individuals that incidents such as this have no place in today's society."

The army in Northern Ireland have defused a car bomb left near a police station that could have killed had it exploded, police said yesterday.

The device, which consisted of containers filled with flammable liquid on the rear seats of a vehicle, was left near the gates of the barracks at Crossmaglen, south Armagh, late last Saturday.