Family say elderly couple 'lucky to be alive' after Derry pipe bomb attack

The family of an elderly couple whose home was attacked by a pipe bomb in Londonderry say they are lucky to be alive.

Police believe the husband and wife, who are in their late 70s, may have been mistakenly targeted.

The device was thrown through the window of the house in Limewood Street on Monday evening. It sparked a security alert in the area.

It is understood the couple live close to the address given by former Sinn Féin press officer and convicted child sex offender Michael McMonagle.

Local SDLP councillor John Boyle spoke to the family this morning.

"I couldn't stress strongly enough how innocent this couple are - absolutely no justification for what happened here last evening," he told UTV.

"They are good people and the people of this neighbourhood stand in solidarity and full support with them."

Video credit: Michael McGilloway

Police said the pipe bomb attack on the house could have seriously injured or killed the occupants.

Detective Sergeant Mark Gingell said police received a report at around 7.30pm that an object had been thrown at a house in the area.

“Officers attended and observed the remnants of what they believed to have been a pipe bomb device and alerted army technical officers,” he said.

“The object, which has been declared as a viable suspected pipe bomb, has been removed and taken away for further forensic examination.

“It is believed that this device was put through the window of the house and exploded. This has caused damage to the property but could have led to the occupants being badly injured or even killed."

Detectives have appealed for anyone with information to contact them.

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