Chief Inspector Alan Hutton says pensioner was lucky after pipe bomb lands on her bed branding the attack as ‘reckless’
POLICE have launched a murder bid inquiry after a dissident republican pipe bomb landed on a 65-year-old woman’s bed after being hurled through her window.
The incident happened on Sunday night but was only reported to police on Monday night.
It is understood two people were inside the house at Melmount Villas in Strabane when the attack happened at about 9.50 pm.
One person in the house threw the device into a nearby field.
Fortunatley, no one was injured.
British Army Technical Officers were tasked to the scene to examine the object.
They later declared it as a viable pipe bomb device and it is now undergoing a forensic examination.
Police have blamed dissident republicans for what they describe as a “reckless attack”.
Chief Inspector Alan Hutton said: “Today, we are thankful to God that we are not dealing with fatalities.
“This area has vulnerable and elderly people. I’m sure people will understand the shock in this community.
“I will point the blame at violent dissident republicans.
“I feel for the lady today as she thinks through what could have happened.
“She is deeply shocked.”
Anyone with any information about the attack is asked to ring police on the 101 number.
Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on freephone 0800 555 111.
