Beer keg containing explosives and discovered by a lake ‘could have killed’

An improvised explosive device that was discovered inside a beer keg has been condemned by officials in Northern Ireland, who described it as a “crude and viable device” which “could have killed”.

According to local news reports, a “beer keg explosive device” was left at a popular beauty spot at Camlough Lake, just outside Camlough in Northern Ireland.

SDLP assembly member Justin McNulty said he believed the device was a “viable bomb”, per the BBC.

“This is a local beauty spot where people come to escape the drudgery of lockdown, they walk with their children. This is recklessly mindless and could threaten lives,” he said.

“It is frightening to think there are those in our community hell bent on dragging us back to the dark days of our past”.

McNulty revealed that this discovery had come just a few days after a similar device was uncovered at a separate location.

“This incident must be condemned by all right-thinking people and those responsible need to realise their futile and life endangering acts have been rejected by the people of this island.” He added.

Meanwhile, DUP assembly member William Irwin – who said the device was “a beer keg explosive”, also spoke out against the “reckless” perpetrators.

“This is yet another reckless incident which is bringing yet further disruption and indeed risk to people in the area,” he said.

“It certainly is worrying to see and it has obviously been designed to injure or kill.”

Sinn Féin councillor Oonagh Magennis said, “The person or persons involved in causing this scare for whatever reason have nothing to offer this community”.