There has been widespread condemnation of the explosion that occurred in the Wattlebridge Road area of Co. Fermanagh this morning (August 19.)

Local business owner Ciaran McBride was at his premises when the explosion occurred. He said: “All I heard was a bit of a rattle, a small explosion. It was not overly loud but we would be half a mile away from where the incident is but I knew it was an explosion.”

Condemning the incident, Mr. McBride added: “We don’t need it. It’s just totally wrong, no matter how you look at it. I don’t know what’s going on anymore in society. It’s going backwards, not forwards. Nobody in this locality, in this area, agrees with any of that type of thing at all. “

Lisnaskea-based victim’s group South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF) has responded to the incident. Speaking on behalf of the foundation, Director of Services Kenny Donaldson stated: “When the initial suspicious object was found we feared it was the ‘come on’ for a further attack upon the Police when they would be carrying out their follow up security operation. Mercifully no-one was murdered or injured but that wasn’t the intent of thee behind the attack.”

He continued: “The Republican community at large inclusive of its’ political leadership need to put up or shut up, baseless words of condemnation are worthless”.

“Those involved in this incident and other terrorist incidents from within that community are known, leadership is needed and they must be handed over to the authorities. The policy of ‘silence’ must lift,” concluded Mr. Donaldson.

A number of politicians have also responded in condemnation of the incident.

Sinn Féin MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone Michelle Gildernew said: "This morning's bomb attack in Wattlebridge was totally wrong.”

She continued: "Thankfully no one was injured in this incident but we could have been dealing with a situation where people were seriously injured or worse.”

"Those responsible for this incident have nothing to offer society and need to end these actions immediately. Anyone with information on this should bring it forward to the PSNI," Mrs. Gildernew concluded.

Cross Community Labour Alternative (CCLA) Councillor Donal O’Cofaigh stated: “Another senseless and indefensible attempt to kill or maim - offering nothing progressive for anyone in our society. We must redouble our efforts for unity and socialism in order to defeat those who offer only more hurt, fear, anger and sectarian division.”