'Viable' pipe bomb discovered in Omagh before Remembrance Sunday parade

Discovery comes almost two decades after Real IRA blast killed 29 in town

Omagh in Northern Ireland was ripped apart by a deadly bomb blast in 1998

A viable pipe bomb was discovered close to a war memorial in Omagh in Northern Ireland before a Remembrance Sunday parade took place, police have confirmed.

The march was diverted and the traditional wreath-laying at the County Tyrone town's cenotaph was postponed after the area was sealed off following the discovery of the device on Sunday.

It comes almost two decades after a Real IRA blast killed 29 in the busy market town in 1998.

The alert ended just before 6pm on Sunday.

Chief Constable George Hamiliton said enquiries are ongoing to find the "callous and violent" culprits.

He said: "This small but potentially dangerous device was left to cause the maximum amount of disruption to the Remembrance Sunday commemorations. This is the action of a small and callous group of violent people who have nothing to offer our communities other than fear and intimidation.

"Whilst our investigation into the incident is at a very early stage one strong line of enquiry is that violent dissident republicans are responsible. Their actions today have demonstrated the disregard and disrespect they have for this community, which has already suffered so much pain and hurt at the hands of terrorists.

"It was a sickening and appalling act on a day which should bring people together to remember the sacrifice made by people from all our communities."

The bomb alert also coincided with the 30 year anniversary of the Enniskillen bombing in Co Fermanagh, where 12 people were killed by the IRA.

DUP leader Arlene Foster tweeted: "On a day we remember the carnage of Enniskillen 30 years ago it is disgusting that Remembrance Sunday in Omagh was disrupted by those who left a suspicious device in the town."

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland James Brokenshire said there is "no place in society" for those responsible.

Mr Brokenshire said: "Sickening and despicable that on Remembrance Sunday when we gather to honour those who paid the ultimate sacrifice that someone should have placed a device in Omagh.

"There is no place in society for these faceless people who want to drag us back to the dark days of Northern Ireland's past."

Sinn Fein Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly Catherine Kelly said those behind the alert had shown "complete disregard" for all people in the community.

She said: "The ongoing security alert in the Drumragh Avenue area has caused significant disruption to local residents and to Remembrance Day commemorations.

“Everyone has a right to remember their dead with dignity and respect and those responsible for this security alert have shown complete disregard for all the people of this community.

Police enquiries into the incident are now underway and anyone with any information is asked to contact police in Omagh on 101 quoting reference number 100 12/11/17. Information can also be given anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The Press Association contributed to this report