Homes evacuated during separate security alerts in Newry and Maghera

A pipe bomb has been thrown at a house in an "extremely reckless attack", resulting in a security alert in Newry.

A number of people were forced out of their homes as police and the bomb squad dealt with the item.

Police said people were evacuated "as a precaution" but have since been able to return to their properties.

The device was thrown at a house on Watsons Road at around 7.20pm on Sunday.

No one was injured, however, damage was caused to a vehicle which was parked in the driveway.

The Army bomb squad attended the scene and the device has been removed for further forensic examination.

In a separate incident at Sunnyside Drive in Maghera a "suspicious object" was discovered.

Police described it an "elaborate hoax" and said it has been taken away for forensic examination.

The security alert in the area, which start on Sunday, has now ended.

Those who were moved from their homes have since returned and Sunnyside Drive has reopened.

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