Suspicious objects cause NI security alerts

A number of suspicious devices sparked security alerts in Northern Ireland, with road closures and diversions in Belfast and Armagh.

In Belfast, Falls Road was closed off between Broadway and Beechmount Avenue for some time after a number of suspicious objects were found at the junction of Shiels Street this morning.

Bomb disposal experts were called in to examine the devices. They later made safe three pipe bomb type devices.

Police are appealing for help from anyone who may have witnessed anything suspicious in the area.

There was a further security alert in the College Hill area of Armagh this morning, when a suspicious object was discovered in the area at about 8am by local police officers on patrol.

However, it was later declared to be an elaborate hoax.

Police and bomb disposal experts attended the scene and a controlled explosion was carried out.

A number of nearby premises, including schools and the court house, were evacuated and traffic diversions were put in place.

The latest alerts come only days after a 300lb car bomb was discovered in Co Down. The viable home-made device was found in the back of a black Volkswagen Bora in the village of Castlewellan.

The car had been left on the Dublin Road close to the Burrenreagh Road junction.