Photographers House Attacked

The home of well known Newry Photographer was the target for a Pipe Bomb attack late last night.

Mark Pearce who lives in Mayobridge with his Partner and children were woke by the PSNI just after Midnight and escorted out of the house and had to walk past the device which was sitting on the front porch.

 Homes in the surrounding area were evacuated and the Bomb Disposal team worked on the device which was described as viable.

Mark an NUJ Member believes it may be connected with his job. NUJ General Secretary Michelle Stanistreet said "The targeting of a journalist in this way is totally unacceptable and we are deeply concerned by this attempt to intimidate journalists.”

NUJ President Barry McCall continued "Coming after death threats against elected representatives this is a direct threat to those who seek to report the news in Northern Ireland and must be condemned unequivocally. It is a reminder to journalists and media organisations that we have to be extra vigilant.”

Alan Lewis, Chairman of NIPPA said "The Northern Ireland Press Photographers Association utterly condemn those responsible for the outrageous overnight pipe bomb attack on the home of our friend and colleague Mark Pearce. We offer our unconditional support to Mark and his family at this very difficult time."

He and his young family have been left traumatised following the incident that forced them along with their neighbours to be evacuated their homes in the early hours of this morning as army technical experts made the device safe.

This was a substantial bomb that was meant to explode and we are fortunate that we are not dealing today with a more tragic outcome.

Photographers and other media working in Northern Ireland do so often at great personal risk and in very difficult circumstances to provide balanced and fair coverage of what is happening around the country irrespective of anyones political, ethnic or religious views.

Our members come from all sides of the community and cover everything from civil unrest, sport and politics through to cheque presentations and Christmas babies and we will continue to do so.

The only people who should fear a free press are those with something to hide."