A Sinn Féin councillor has condemned the delivery of a viable device to a hotel near Derry’s Ebrington Square as an “utterly reckless attack” that endangered families and children attending the city’s Halloween celebrations.

Sinn Féin Councillor Christopher Jackson said: “This was an utterly reckless attack which endangered families and children attending nearby Halloween events. It needs to be condemned and I would urge anyone with information about those responsible to bring it forward.

“Those behind this incident have nothing to offer but the kind of trauma and disruption they visited upon innocent people this week.

“Halloween is a hugely positive time for this city. It represents the best of us and we won’t allow anyone to drag us back to the dark days which we have thankfully left behind.”

The police operation, which saw employees from several businesses in the area surrounding the public square in the Waterside area of the city evacuated, ended shortly before midnight on Tuesday.