Catholic schools targeted by hoax bombers

Two bomb alerts outside separate Catholic schools in Co Antrim have been declared "elaborate hoaxes".

In Larne a suspicious object was found in the carpark of St Comgall's High School at around 9am on Thursday. A controlled explosion was carried out on the item which had a wire and batteries attached.

In north Belfast a controlled explosion was carried out by army bomb disposal experts on a device left outside the gates of Dominican College in the Fortwilliam area.

Condemning both incidents, East Antrim Sinn Féin Representative Oliver McMullan said: "Over the past few weeks there has been an escalation in the ongoing sectarian campaign being waged by the various unionist paramilitary gangs. This has witnessed threats being issued to a priest, a cemetery being desecrated and a religious service disrupted in Glengormley. It also has involved bombs being left outside Catholic schools in Limavady.

"As we witnessed last year at Holy Cross the unionist paramilitaries have little or no regard for schools or school children. They are quite happy to threaten and intimidate the most vulnerable members of society simply because they are Catholics.

"It is up to the Unionist political leadership in this area to stand firmly with their Catholic neighbours in the face of this vicious sectarian campaign being waged from within their community."

(MB)