Crossmaglen explosion: Man injured as he 'removed poster outside his home'

A Sinn Féin MP said the injured man's family had been threatened recently by 'criminal gangs masquerading as republicans'

Crossmaglen, South Armargh, where an explosion has injured a man (Vintagekits/Creative Commons)

A man has been injured in an explosion outside the village of Crossmaglen, Northern Ireland, according to Sinn Féin.

The man was injured by an explosion close to his family home in South Armagh this afternoon, as he was removing a poster, Sinn Féin MP Conor Murphy said in a statement on the party's website.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland said that it received reports of an explosion in the Crossmaglen area on Wednesday.

A spokesman added that it was reported that a man had sustained injuries and was taken to hospital.

Enquiries are ongoing and there are no further details at this stage, the spokesman added.

The Newry and Armagh MP said the incident was an attack on the peace process.

In a statement on the Sinn Féin, Mr Murphy said the family had been threatened recently by “criminal gangs masquerading as republicans”.

“Police recently visited the family and told them there was a threat from this group,” he said.

“Now these people have attempted to kill a member of the family with a device placed close to their home."

He went on to say that death threats had been made against him and other Sinn Féin activists.

"Let me be absolutely clear; this was the work of a gang of criminals and I unreservedly condemn this latest cowardly action," he said.