The homes of prominent Sinn Fein members Gerry Adams and Bobby Storey were attacked with explosive devices on Friday night
FORMER Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has called on the attackers who threw a bomb at his home on Friday night to "come and meet me".
Significant damage was visible to a vehicle on Mr Adams' driveway in the aftermath of the attack and a blast mark could be seen on the windscreen.
The 69-year-old's grandchildren were playing in the driveway of his home minutes before the attack.
Speaking today Mr Adams said: "I'd like them or their representatives to come and meet me.
"I'd like them to sit down and explain to me what this is about.
"I'd like those who are involved in exploiting children in Derry to do the same thing, or those who are poisoning the atmosphere in east Belfast and causing havoc to do the same thing."
He added: "Come and sit down and explain to me what this is about. Give us the rationale for this action."
A second device was thrown at the home of the party's former Northern Ireland chairman Bobby Storey.
Gerry Kelly, Sinn Fein's Policing and Justice spokesman, said: "These were reprehensible and cowardly attacks on the family homes of Gerry Adams and Bobby Storey.
"Grandchildren were in the driveway of Adams' home minutes before the attack.
"I would appeal for calm. These attacks are the desperate acts of increasingly desperate and irrelevant groups."
The Police Service of Northern Ireland said officers were "dealing with two incidents at two separate addresses in west Belfast".
Police said the devices thrown at both homes were believed to be "large industrial or commercial fireworks".
Mr Adams, 69, tweeted that he was unharmed and thanked his Neighbourhood Watch for sounding the alarm.
He posted: "All well here. No one hurt. Thanks 4 all the texts and phone calls.
"Thanks 2 all the great neighbours, the Neighbourhood Watch and Sinn Féin reps who were here very quickly."
While police have not yet attributed responsibility, the attacks are likely the work of dissident republicans.
The extremist groups oppose Sinn Fein's involvement in the peace process and are engaged in localised turf wars in republican strongholds in an effort to wrest support away from the mainstream movement.
Friday's attacks in west Belfast came six straight nights of violence in Northern Ireland, where explosive devices were hurled at cops.
Northern Ireland’s chief of police George Hamilton has blamed a "New IRA" in Derry for the "murderous" attacks on police.
On Thursday night, two explosive devices were hurled at police officers, and 74 petrol bombs were also thrown.
Three men were arrested, one on suspicion of attempted murder. One, aged 50, was later charged with disorderly behaviour.
Police said it was “nothing short of a miracle” that no one has been injured or killed so far.
High tensions have been blamed on the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne.
It is understood some of those involved in the violence are not even in their teenage years.
Mr Adams led Sinn Fein from 1983 until February 2018, while Mr Storey has served as the party's northern chairman.
Mr Storey was involved in the Maze Prison escape in 1983, where 38 IRA prisoners escaped from the maximum security prison.
Following the attacks, the leader of the Alliance party Naomi Long tweeted: "It seems this week some people are determined to drag us back into violence at whatever cost.
"We need to stand together against all violence. No exceptions. No excuses."
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.
