18/04/2011

Newry On Alert As Drivers Diverted

Cross-border motorists are being warned to expect delays because of a new security alert in the city of Newry.

Army bomb experts were this afternoon on site to examine a suspicious object, which was found in the New Street area of the Co Down city.

Newry Courthouse and other premises have been evacuated, while some commercial premises in the Sand Mills industrial estate have also been cleared.

Just over a week ago, a Newry alert proved to be potentially deadly with a 500lb bomb discovered in an abandoned van.

The underpass on the main Belfast to Dublin Road was closed after police found the suspect vehicle - but many drivers defied police instructions and drove past the huge bomb.

Meanwhile, with the terrorist bomb murder of a PSNI officer still just weeks past, nervous people have been reporting suspect items.

A controlled explosion was carried out at a church in Bangor, Co Down, on Saturday.

The security alert was put in place after a suspicious object was found at Towerview Crescent in the Ballymaconnell area.

The item was later identified as a mini oxygen tank, the PSNI confirmed.

Meanwhile, a security alert in Crossgar - also Co Down - ended after a suspicious object was found behind a community centre.

The discovery was made by a member of the public in a car park at the Downpatrick Street premises, at about 7.30pm on Sunday.

Army bomb squad officers examined the object, which was found to contain nothing untoward.

See: Drivers Risk Lives In Newry Bomb Alert

(BMcC/GK)

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