Police combing Montgomery Close following pipe bomb attack on Sunday
The deadly device exploded in the front garden of his home at Montgomery close in the Waterside in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Local people described him as “quiet” and suggested the motive for the attack could be sectarian.
“He hasn’t been here very long and he seems quiet, but it is disgraceful that anyone would leave a pipe bomb outside someone’s home,” said one resident.
“I think he lives there most of the time on his own, but small children seem to come and stay at times.
“Another house in the close was attacked a while ago and I think this might be for the same reason – because they are Catholics – which is no reason to attack anyone.
“I think that is not acceptable.
“I think people should be allowed to live wherever they want.
“The last thing you want to hear in the early hours of the morning is an explosion in your street and to have a policeman knocking on your door saying you may have to leave.
“Thankfully we didn’t, but the police cordon was around the house until lunchtime.”
The remnants of the device was examined by ATO before it was removed for forensic examination.
The police cordon was lifted around midday.
No damage was done to the property, but police said the occupants had a lucky escape.
PSNI Detective Sergeant Richard Donnell said: “Police received a report that a device in the form of a pipe bomb had exploded in the front garden of a residential property in Montgomery Close.
“Thankfully, no damage has been caused to the property.
“However, the occupants of the property were very lucky to escape injury.”
Anyone with information is asked to call the police on the non emergency number 101, quoting reference number 91 of 31/03/19, or Crimestoppers on freephone 0800 555 111.
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