Pipe bomb explodes in adventure playground litter bin

A man and a six-year-old girl have both escaped serious injury after a pipe bomb exploded close to an adventure playground in north Belfast on Wednesday evening.

It is believed the pipe bomb type device exploded after being dropped into a litterbin in the grounds of Belfast Castle by a number of youths.

Both the man and girl suffered minor shock.

Army bomb experts removed a number of items from the scene for forensic examination.

Police have warned parents and children not to touch anything they believe to be suspicious and to contact the police immediately.

They are also appealing for a male and a female who were walking together in the grounds of the castle at the time, who may have seen four youths running off, to come forward with any information.

Meanwhile, houses in the north of the city came under petrol bomb attack in two separate incidents. Two devices were thrown at a home in Squire’s Hill on Wednesday, May 8.

Another petrol bomb was hurled at a house on the Deer Park Road. A number of youths were seen running away.

There were no reports of any injuries or damage to property in either attack.

(AMcE)