Policing Board member John Blair MLA has condemned what police have described as a dissident republican attempt to murder PSNI officers in the Craigavon area overnight.

The police have reported a loud bang in the Tullygally Road area of the town, with a viable device later discovered.

John said: “While it remains unclear the extent of the plot behind this incident, it was designed to cause harm to those tasked with upholding the rule of law in the area and must be condemned by all.

“I am utterly disgusted by what has occurred, yet another incident that demonstrates the effect the lack of an Executive is having on our community. We need to see an actionable plan in place to tackle paramilitarism, ensuring those determined to cause carnage on our streets are removed as a threat and dealt with in an appropriate way.”

Local Councillor Peter Lavery added: “This is an extremely worrying development and I join my colleague John Blair in condemning this grim attack. These people need to be removed from our streets and the best way to achieve that is for our community to keep supporting the PSNI and report any information to 101 or 0800 555 111.”