Elderly couple thankful to be alive after pipe bomb attack

Police said a viable device was thrown at the property in Limewood Street on Monday evening

An elderly couple have said it was lucky no one was killed in a pipe bomb attack on their family home in Londonderry.

Josephine and Liam Cooley, who are in their 70s, were sitting in the living room of their home in Limewood Street at about 19:30 GMT on Monday when there was a bang.

A pipe bomb was then thrown through the window.

Police said the attack could be a case of mistaken identity.

“It could have killed or harmed anybody. Damage can be fixed but if you take somebody’s life it is different,” Mr Cooley told BBC News NI.

“There were pieces of shrapnel. It was very frightening, a very reckless thing to have done; they could have killed anybody."

Mrs Cooley said she heard a bang on the window and then the couple saw sparks.

“My husband thought it was gas or something, and we jumped," she said.

"My son said, ‘Oh God, I think there is shooting’.

“The blinds broke; we jumped. I ran out the back, and they threw something through the window; sparks were going everywhere. It was just like a nightmare."

Police say mistaken identity is one line of enquiry for detectives

The pipe bomb was removed by Army technical officers.

The couple spent the night out of their home, which has been extensively damaged.

Neighbours have been rallying round, Mrs Cooley said.

Police said enquiries into the incident were continuing.

“Detectives are investigating the possibility this may have been a case of mistaken identity,” Det Sgt Mark Gingell said.

“It is believed that this device was put through the window of the house and has exploded.

"This has caused damage to the property but could have led to the occupants being badly injured or even killed."

'Shocking and distressing'

Bishop of Derry Donal McKeown said the attack was completely irresponsible.

“It serves absolutely no purpose,” he told BBC News NI.

“We cannot build a future on the relics of the past."

Foyle MP Colum Eastwood said it was "a shocking and distressing attack".

"There is no excuse for it. The people responsible have caused an immense amount of disruption for this family and the local community," the Social Democratic and Labour Party politician said.

Sinn Féin councillor Sandra Duffy said the attack was "totally wrong".

“There is no place or excuse for this type of activity," she added.

Police have appealed for anyone with information to contact them.