Sinn Fein councillor Sandra Duffy
A TEENAGE boy held a ‘viable device’ in his hands before it was made safe in a controlled explosion Derry.
British Army disposal officers have taken away the “suspicious object” found at Cornshell Feilds around 10 pm on Thursday night for further examination.
Commenting on the news, local Sinn Féin Councillor Sandra Duffy said: “A 15-year-old boy actually handled the device last night before the police were at the scene.”
“He found it, he lifted it, and he held it in his hands for a number of minutes before putting it down.”
Police cordoned the area off and a number of residents were evacuated from their homes on Friday while the device was made safe.
She added: “The actions of those involved in leaving this device are to be condemned outright.
“We are now into the bright summer nights and Cornshell Fields is an area with a very high young population with a lot of children out playing in the street.
“There is no logic to this act and those behind it need to realise there is no support for this type of action in our city.”
Detective Constable Kavanagh has appealed to anyone who may have noticed any suspicious activity in the Cornshell Fields area of Derry last night to contact police at Strand Road on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference 1311 22/06/17.
Alternatively, if someone would prefer to provide information without giving their details they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111.