Published Thursday, 07 July 2011
PSNI Chief Inspector David Beck made the comments after the device, which sparked a security alert on Thursday, was made safe.
Army bomb experts carried out a controlled explosion on the device, which was found on the Camlough Road between the Carnagat Road and Monaghan Street in the Co Down city.
Police have said the alert is now over and that the road has re-opened.
SDLP MLA for the area Dominic Bradley said it was left in a residential area where children were playing and "easily could have caused death or serious injury to an innocent child."
"The brutality of those responsible knows no bounds. They have shown a blatant disregard for human life through their callous and selfish actions," he said.