A failed pipe bomb attack at a Sinn Féin office in Newry has been linked to ongoing anti-immigration tensions in the Co Down town.
An alert was raised after a “suspicious object” was found outside the Sinn Féin office used by Stormont infrastructure minister Liz Kimmins and Newry and Armagh MP Dáire Hughes shortly before midnight on Sunday.
A British army bomb squad attended the Monaghan Street office and declared the object “a viable explosive device”.
The pipe bomb was later made safe and removed for further examination.
It is understood some republicans believe there may be a link between race tensions in the border town and the attempted pipe bomb attack, which came just hours before Newry, Mourne and Down District Council was due to meet on Monday.
Last month a council committee voted to approve plans to join the City of Sanctuary network, which includes statutory bodies that commit to providing support to asylum seekers located in their area.
A proposal to join the network was supported by Sinn Féin, the SDLP and Alliance at a meeting of the council’s Active and Healthy Communities committee last month, with two DUP representatives voting against.
A report presented to council members highlighted that the local authority has no input into how many asylum seekers are located in the area and joining the network would have no impact on the number of people located to the area.
The council’s decision to join the network is opposed by some in the mainly nationalist district.
At a protest in Newry last month, anti-Sinn Féin slogans could be heard while some of those attending carried the tricolour.
First minister Michelle O’Neill has condemned the attempted attack on her party office branding it “cowardly”.
“There is absolutely no place for this kind of behaviour in our society,” she said.
“Sinn Fein will not be deterred or intimidated from continuing our work to better the lives of people and communities across Newry, Armagh, and Ireland.
Mr Hughes said the failed attack “is a disgraceful and cowardly act designed to endanger lives and cause major disruption”.
“To those behind this attack, Sinn Féin will not be intimidated.“We will continue to represent the community without fear or hesitation.
Ms Kimmins said the incident has a wider impact.
“If anything, I think this is reflective of how difficult it is to try and encourage more people into public life, because this is what all of our families and friends also have to take on, whether they maybe want to or not,” she said.
The PSNI said an investigation is underway.