Families evacuated after explosive device is found
Politicians unite to condemn those behind incident in Newry
FIFTEEN families had to leave their homes as police investigated a viable explosive device in Northern Ireland.
Some residents affected by the incident in Newry were housed in a leisure centre and were supported by the local council.
PSNI Superintendent Norman Haslett said: “Our inquiries are continuing and we are working to establish who is responsible for what can only be described as a reckless act.
“This device could easily have detonated, or have been picked up by anyone, including children.
“Someone could have suffered serious injury.”
Police are appealing for information.
A report of a suspicious object found in the Ashgrove Road area of the city was made to police at around 3.30pm on Saturday afternoon. Police and Army Ammunition Technical Officers (ATO) attended the scene, carrying out a controlled explosion.
At this time it is believed to have been a viable device, police said.
Most of the families evacuated have returned home and any roads closed have reopened.
Mr Haslett added: “As we continue with our investigation, I want to thank everyone inconvenienced by the alert.
“In particular, I want to thank the 15 families who had to leave their homes as we worked to make the scene safe.”
Sinn Fein Assembly member Liz Kimmins said those responsible have nothing to offer society.
She added: “Families had to be evacuated from their homes in what must have been a frightening and traumatic experience.
“This is an attack on the entire community at a time when we should all be working together in the face of the public health crisis caused by Covid-19. Those responsible need to end these futile actions immediately.”
Ulster Unionist councillor David Taylor said those responsible for placing the device “have been totally reckless in their behaviour”.
“Their actions have caused significant disturbance and concern to local residents and there is no doubt this device has placed them and the wider community at risk of serious harm,” he said.
“This incident must be strongly condemned and I would appeal to anyone with information to report it to police immediately.”
SDLP Assembly member Justin Mcnulty said the elderly and young families had been forced from their homes.
He added: “Those responsible for this device don’t care about people in our community. People living here don’t want this, they don’t want to return to the murder, mayhem and tragedy of the past.”