Meanwhile, residents and business owners are counting the cost of the explosion, which was linked to dissident republicans, the Real IRA, by RUC Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan. RUC Assistant Chief Constable Tom Craig said the bomb, left in the town when no police officers were on duty, could have caused death. Speaking at the scene, Mr Craig praised residents and security forces, who rushed to the scene after locals expressed concern about an abandoned car, for working together to evacuate the area quickly. Community development worker Jennifer Hamilton, who works for the Stewartstown and District Cultural Association, said everyone had been shocked by the blast. Relationships have been so good.
People get on well together.
Local people said the car was abandoned at 2330 BST on Saturday and that a masked man left in another vehicle. Many had thought the alert might have been a hoax, coming at the most sensitive period in the marching season. As the area was being evacuated a telephone warning was given. The device exploded while people were still being moved from their homes. Police resources were brought here.