A security alert in Co Down has now ended after police declared a suspicious object as a "crude yet viable device."
Police attended the Monaghan Street area of Newry on Thursday morning, June 20, alongside Ammunition Technical Officers (ATO) who carried out a controlled explosion on a suspicious object. The object, which has been declared as a viable suspected pipe bomb, has been removed and taken away for further forensic examination.
Inspector Gibson said: “This security alert on one of Newry’s busiest streets has caused major disruption to local businesses and resulted in some people being evacuated from their homes today as we conducted this public safety operation.
"We would like to thank them for their understanding and patience as we conducted our investigations.
“Our enquiries are continuing and anyone with any information is asked to contact us on 101, quoting reference number 294 of 20/06/24.
"A report can also be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.”
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Security alert ends as police find "crude yet viable device"
The security alert in the Monaghan Street area of Newry has now ended.
A suspicious object located in the area this morning, Thursday 20th June, has been declared as a crude yet viable device.
Officers attended following the report at around 8.20am, alongside Ammunition Technical Officers (ATO) who carried out a controlled explosion. The object, which has been declared as a viable suspected pipe bomb, has been removed and taken away for further forensic examination.
Inspector Gibson said: “This security alert on one of Newry’s busiest streets has caused major disruption to local businesses and resulted in some people being evacuated from their homes today as we conducted this public safety operation.
“We would like to thank them for their understanding and patience as we conducted our investigations.
“Our enquiries are continuing and anyone with any information is asked to contact us on 101, quoting reference number 294 of 20/06/24.
"A report can also be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.”
Police update as street remains closed
A spokesperson for the PSNI said: "Part of Monaghan Street in Newry remains closed due to today's security alert.
"A reduced cordon is in place from the Lower Catherine Street junction to the Monaghan Street roundabout. The public is thanked for understanding during this public safety operation."
Bomb squad at scene
Bomb disposal robot is at scene which is next to an on-street parking meter
Local councillor on incident
Newry City Cllr Aidan Mathers says: “This device was left by criminals to deliberately cause chaos and to scare and intimidate. The local community and businesses have been greatly inconvenienced.
"We do not want this on our streets. Those engaged in these criminal acts motivated by either greed or to intimidate, need to cease their anti community activities."
Picture circulating
An image, purportedly showing the suspect object, is circulating on WhatsApp, according to local sources
PSNI statement
"Monaghan Street in Newry is currently closed due to a security alert following the discovery of a suspicious object in the area.
"Cordons are in place and the public are asked to avoid the area at this time."
