The Sinn Féin Leader Gerry Adams has condemned those who planted an explosive device in Lurgan, Co Armagh last night.

Gerry Adams said that "those behind this attack are entirely unrepresentative of the wider community and are enemies of peace, political progress, and Irish unity.

"There is no place for militarist factions who merely serve to drag our society backwards," he added.

Adams said it would not damage the peace process but that it should act as a warning against complacency to the government:

Police in Lurgan were also attacked with petrol bombs and bricks as they attempted to carry out their investigation yesterday.

The security alert began after the Samaritans received a call suggesting that a suspicious device may have been left in the Victoria Street area of Lurgan.

The device, which was not thought to be viable, was located by officers, who then evacuated the area. However a second device exploded during a subsequent search.

It is now believed the initial call was designed to lure police into the area to be targeted by the second device.

Speaking following the security alert, PSNI Superintendent David Moore said, "this was a clear and unequivocal murder attempt on the policemen and women who serve the community in Lurgan.

"The professional, methodical and diligent way these same officers responded to this incident undoubtedly saved lives, their own and potentially those of local people who were placed in grave danger by the heinous criminals who planted this device," he added.

John O'Dowd, Sinn Féin member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for the area, said: "Those behind this alert are not representative of the people of Lurgan and should stop these pointless actions immediately."

A full investigation has been launched following the incident.