Severe disruption was caused on the busy road and border crossing near the junction with the A3 during the alert.

Chief Superintendent Michael Skuce thanked people in the area for their support during the extensive search and clearance operation.

"The terrorists who planted this bomb do not care who they kill – it was wholly indiscriminate," he said.

The planting of the bomb has been widely condemned.

Fermanagh councillor Fergus McQuillan, SDLP, said he is angered by the dissident attacks and the disruption for cross-border workers, on a road which already has seen traffic collisions. Progress was being made to develop the section of the Ulster Canal, which runs through the area targeted, to bring in more tourism. Cllr McQuillan said it will also impact on cross–border visits to neighbouring Castle Saunderson.

"Everybody is annoyed and they are asking who is doing this, We thought these days were behind us," he said.

UUP MLA, Tom Elliott said he fears dissidents are getting help from mainstream republicanism and has called for a limited army presence to support police in the area.

DUP MLA Arlene Foster also called for the dissident threat to be dealt with, and wants a stronger security presence.

Sinn Fein MP, Michelle Gildernew said: "Those engaged in these activities should stop.

"They offer nothing positive and can deliver even less.

"They have little support and their actions will not advance Irish Unity.

"The responsibility of all politicians is to demonstrate that politics can deliver change,she said.



"Sinn Féin have a strategy for Irish Unity and will not be deflected.

"There is a clear cycle here exposed by Tom Elliot.

"Those who carried this act out are feeding off those unionists who are trying to slow the pace of change and refuse to engage in a positive and constructive manner," she said.

The responsibility of all politicians is to demonstrate that politics can deliver change, social, economic and political change, she added.

ENDS