Suspect device at Sinn Féin MLA’s home declared hoax

A suspect pipe bomb found at the home of a leading member of Sinn Fein has been declared as an elaborate hoax by the security forces.

Northern Ireland Assembly Member Alex Maskey was not at home when the device was discovered by his son on Tuesday January 22.

The Army bomb squad was called to examine the suspect device spotted in the front garden of the house at Gartree Place in west Belfast.

The Sinn Féin member was at Stormont at the time of the incident.

Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams blamed the UDA for leaving the pipe bomb at Mr Maskey’s home.

Mr Adams said: “This afternoon a pipe bomb was discovered by Alex Maskey’s son in the front garden of the family home in Andersonstown. The device had been thrown at the house but would appear to have hit a tree before falling in the garden.

“Sinn Féin members had been advised some weeks ago that a loyalist stack on a party member was imminent. There is no doubt in my mind that the attack on Alex Maskey’s home and family relates directly to this threat and is the work of the UDA.” (AMcE)