Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Double security alert puts residents at risk
Outrage after devices force people from homes
MEMBERS of the RNLI were involved in the rescue of a cyclist yesterday after he tumbled 15ft off a road.
The rider came off his bike on the Coast Road north of Ballygally, Co Antrim.
The volunteer lifeboat crew got the call at 10.15am following a report the cyclist had fallen down a steep slope.
Larne and Ballycastle Coastguard also responded along with personnel from both the fire and rescue service and the ambulance service.
Once on scene, two crew members from the all-weather lifeboat went ashore with the inshore lifeboat crew to help bring the cyclist to safety
Larne RNLI helm Pamela Leitch said: “The position for extraction was challenging via land and the best decision was to remove him from the beach side.
“We would like to wish the cyclist a speedy recovery following what must have been a frightening experience.
“Today’s call out was a great example of different agencies working well together to bring someone to safety.” HOMES were evacuated in two locations due to security alerts at the weekend.
In the first instance, residents in West Belfast were moved overnight after a viable pipebomb was found.
Police and Army technical officers were called to Coolnasilla Park West shortly before midnight on Saturday.
A cordon was put in place and some residents were evacuated while the object was examined.
Police yesterday confirmed a viable device had been found.
Sinn Fein MLA Alex Maskey said: “A number of residents were moved from their homes during the security alert in Coolnasilla Park
West. This device could have endangered the residents in the area. An area was sealed off by police and the bomb defused on site.
“There can be no justification for this attack and I would appeal to anyone with information to contact the police.”
Detective Inspector Paul Rowland added: “Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives at Musgrave police station by calling 101” Meanwhile, police and bomb disposal experts attended the scene of a suspect device in Strabane, Co Tyrone, yesterday.
The object was found in the Drumrallagh estate and officers added residents had to be evacuated as a result, while cordons were also put in place.
The suspect device appeared to have been left inside a red car, where an Army technical officer could be seen working.
Shattered glass from the passenger side window of the car was scattered on the ground beside it.
A PSNI spokesman said last night: “The security alert in Drumrallagh, Strabane has finished.
“A viable device was made safe and has been taken away for further examination.”