An investigation has been launched by police in Newry into the discovery of the device outside Jonesborough at the weekend.

The shocking discovery had been made by victims' rights campaigner Willie Frazer

Speaking yesterday afternoon, Chief Superintendent Alan McCrum said: "This was a viable device – it is fortunate that it did not detonate. It could have caused serious injury or even death. Those who left the device have no regard for the people who live in the area.

"We know that a young boy actually touched the device not knowing what it was. We are fortunate that we are not dealing with a different set of circumstances here today – in that this young boy could have been injured."

The police chief has urged anyone who was in the Molly Road area of Jonesborough on Saturday to contact them.

Meanwhile, Willie Frazer has hit out at Sinn Fein and accused them of "hollow and hypocritical" words of condemnation.

Mr Frazer, who heads up Markethill-based group FAIR, said the incident was evidence of the "ongoing nature of republican terrorism and the real threat that continues".

He said: "The bomb was similar to previous PIRA devices I have seen during the Troubles. I believe that this was intended for a police patrol and would have been claimed under the name of dissidents – however the message it sends out benefits republicans and criminals of all kinds."

He also claimed that words of concern or criticism from Sinn Fein were "hollow and hypocritical".

"They blame dissidents – however, they may fool our politicians, but not us and indeed not even their own community.

"They have been willing to close roads and seal off areas when it suits them like their parades or commemorations, but when it comes to protecting their own communities they choose rather to protect the murderers."

Saturday's bomb was also condemned by Ulster Unionist MLA Danny Kennedy: "I understand that police revealed this evening that a young boy touched the bomb in question out of curiosity – it is lucky that this innocent act of a 10-year-old did not end in tragedy. This young boy did not know the potential dangers of what he was doing – we must be grateful that the bomb did not detonate as the consequences do not bear thinking about."

SDLP MLA Dominic Bradley, accused those who had planted it as having "absolutely no consideration for the residents of the local area" and he urged anyone with information to contact police.

"It was an act of complete irresponsibility and one which all right-thinking people will condemn outright without reservation. The use of violence for political ends was never justified and only resulted in death, destruction and injury for all communities – even those who engaged in violence in the past now recognise that fact.

"There are obviously some people who have not yet woken up to that fact and who persist in subjecting the community to the same horrible possibilities."