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19/10/2001
Fresh anthrax alert in County Antrim
A fresh anthrax alert has been reported in Northern Ireland in the wake of five cases which were identified as hoaxes this week.
The Royal Ulster Constabulary have said a household at Windsor Crescent in Whitehead, County Antrim, received three envelopes containing some form of powder on Thursday October 18.
The emergency services were called and the Department of Health said the necessary precautions had been taken. The envelopes have all been sent to England for analysis.
Earlier on Thursday, it was confirmed that five previous anthrax alerts in Northern Ireland were all hoaxes. The samples of white powder were sent to a laboratory in England, which was sent to two homes in Belfast and Tyrone, to post office depots in Belfast and Mallusk and to Derry City Council’s offices. All the samples showed none of the substances tested was contaminated with anthrax.
The Security Minister Jane Kennedy has warned hoaxers that they face prosecution and possible imprisonment for their actions.
Condemning hoaxers who are maliciously causing unnecessary alarm and concern to the general public in Northern Ireland, she said: “These individuals are causing distress and spreading fear throughout the community. These are malicious and criminal acts and anyone sending hoax packages or misleading the police will be prosecuted and may face imprisonment.
"I would like to reassure the public that there is no specific evidence of any current threat of bio-terrorism in Northern Ireland. So whilst people should obviously treat any suspicious package with caution, I urge people not to overreact but to remain alert and calm.”
Ms Kennedy added that she shared the concerns voiced by the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Henrietta Campbell, who highlighted the potential impact which hoaxes and false alarms have in terms of diverting the emergency services and indeed the police from essential and life saving work. (AMcE)
The Royal Ulster Constabulary have said a household at Windsor Crescent in Whitehead, County Antrim, received three envelopes containing some form of powder on Thursday October 18.
The emergency services were called and the Department of Health said the necessary precautions had been taken. The envelopes have all been sent to England for analysis.
Earlier on Thursday, it was confirmed that five previous anthrax alerts in Northern Ireland were all hoaxes. The samples of white powder were sent to a laboratory in England, which was sent to two homes in Belfast and Tyrone, to post office depots in Belfast and Mallusk and to Derry City Council’s offices. All the samples showed none of the substances tested was contaminated with anthrax.
The Security Minister Jane Kennedy has warned hoaxers that they face prosecution and possible imprisonment for their actions.
Condemning hoaxers who are maliciously causing unnecessary alarm and concern to the general public in Northern Ireland, she said: “These individuals are causing distress and spreading fear throughout the community. These are malicious and criminal acts and anyone sending hoax packages or misleading the police will be prosecuted and may face imprisonment.
"I would like to reassure the public that there is no specific evidence of any current threat of bio-terrorism in Northern Ireland. So whilst people should obviously treat any suspicious package with caution, I urge people not to overreact but to remain alert and calm.”
Ms Kennedy added that she shared the concerns voiced by the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Henrietta Campbell, who highlighted the potential impact which hoaxes and false alarms have in terms of diverting the emergency services and indeed the police from essential and life saving work. (AMcE)
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Two Security Alerts In L'Derry Declared 'Elaborate Hoaxes'
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Two Security Alerts In L'Derry Declared 'Elaborate Hoaxes'
Two security alerts in L'Derry have now ended after being declared "elaborate hoaxes". The PSNI and Army bomb disposal experts attended the scenes at Craigavon Bridge and Skeoge Road on Wednesday, 12 May, and carried out tests on the suspicious objects. They have been removed for further examination.
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