Ulster leaders condemn violence

Political leaders in Northern Ireland have express shock and disgust at attacks on police and an earlier dissident republican bombing that injured three children.

A device exploded in a wheelie bin as police searched the town of Lurgan, Co Armagh, on Saturday night following a vague bomb warning that is now believed to have been an attempt to lure officers into a trap. Officers who were near the scene of the explosion were later attacked with petrol bombs. Police said it was a miracle that two 12-year-old children and a two-year-old infant suffered only minor injuries.

The First Minister, Peter Robinson, said: "Yesterday's bomb attack was designed to maim, injure and kill whoever happened to be close by, including children. There can be no doubt as to just how depraved and evil these criminals are."