Northern Ireland: Homes evacuated following suspected pipe bomb explosion in Bessbrook, Co Armagh

Residents have been allowed to return home after being evacuated following the discovery of a suspected pipe bomb in Co. Armagh.

It was reported shortly before 11pm that neighbours heard a loud bang in the John F. Kennedy Park area of Bessbrook.

Police arrived at the scene where the remains of a suspected pipe bomb was discovered, which is believed to have caused scorch damage to a window of a nearby property.