The care taken by security forces over a Co Fermanagh border alert has proved to have been the right approach.

A four-day security alert at Newtownbutler has ended after explosive experts defused the roadside bomb left by republican dissidents near Wattlebridge.

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

"The terrorists who planted this bomb do not care who they kill - it was wholly indiscriminate," said PSNI Chief Superintendent Michael Skuce, who also thanked people in the area for their support during the extensive search and clearance operation.

However, 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.

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 while the 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 also said: "Those engaged in these activities should stop.

"They offer nothing positive and can deliver even less."

Over the past few months there have been several such incidents, including one in June when two PSNI officers, travelling in a car crossing a bridge near the village of Rosslea, were attacked with a roadside bomb, but were only slightly injured.

The officers escaped with cuts and bruises, but suffered hearing difficulties because of the noise and force of the blast at Rellan Road.

Army bomb disposal officers dealt with the remains of the device which consisted of a substantial amount of home made explosives and placed under a bridge with a command wire leading for a firing point some distance away.

Speaking at the time, Chief Superintendent Michael Skuce said: "This was a determined attempt to kill police officers in Fermanagh. The fact that it failed is something for which we should all give thanks.

"My officers were on duty in Rosslea in the early hours of Saturday morning, providing a service to the local community. They do so without fear or favour to everyone in our community."

See: Arrest Follows Border Bomb Explosion - As RUC Victims Remembered

(BMcC)