Bomb found under police officer's car in Belfast was 'clearly intended to kill'

The road was closed after the device was found

Police have said that a device found under the car of an off-duty police officer was a "viable bomb" and was "clearly intended to kill."

The device was discovered by the officer at around 2pm on Sunday. The car had been parked at his home on the Upper Newtownards Road - a busy arterial route into the city centre.

ITV News reporter Damon Green:

Homes in the area were evacuated and residents were temporarily housed in the Stormont Presbyterian Church as army bomb disposal experts used remote robots to examine the scene.

Police seal off the upper Newtownards Road Credit: Paul Faith/PA Wire

The attempted attack has been roundly criticised by politicians and community leaders.

East Belfast MLA Michael Copeland told ITV News, "speaking as someone who for years looked under their car and actually still does, we're standing here on a very miserable afternoon that could have been a lot more miserable."

East Belfast DUP Councillor Gavin Robinson tweeted his response to the 'horrendous assault':

Labour's Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland took to Twitter to condemn those who planted the bomb: