Alliance Condemns Oval Incendiary Bomb

The East Belfast Alliance MP Naomi Long has condemned those behind an incendiary device found near the Oval football ground in the east of the city earlier.

Local people have now returned to their homes having been evacuated due to a fresh security alert in east Belfast earlier today.

The PSNI said that the Army Bomb Squad had taken away the viable incendiary device that was found close to the Glentoran Football Club ground.

Around 2pm the PSNI said that it had been removed for further examination after nearby Harkness Parade and Banbury Street were closed when the bomb squad was called out.

The firebomb was found and made safe in the loyalist area of east Belfast as a funeral was getting underway nearby, causing further disruption to both the mourners and to passing traffic.

Speaking this afternoon, Naomi Long (pictured) said: "This [morning's] alert caused significant disruption in the area and some people were moved from their homes in the vicinity.

"Incidents like this are absolutely despicable and people should be able to get on with their lives without having to face such disruption.

"This is a quiet residential area and the community will be very shocked at this find.

"There are many young families and older people living in the area and this must have been a traumatic experience for people affected by this incident. I am appalled at the completely reckless actions of those behind this device," she fumed.

"People who try to cause fear and disruption must not be allowed to stop progress towards creating a shared and better future in Northern Ireland.

"I would appeal to anyone with information on this incident to contact police immediately to help them with their investigation into it."

Ardoyne

The news comes just hours after the PSNI said they had found a significant 'viable' mortar bomb following a separate security alert in north Belfast. The device was found during a search that led to a man being arrested.

Dozens of people were then moved from their homes in Ardoyne when the security operation was taking place on Thursday evening.

The PSNI said in a statement that a mortar bomb - and a quantity of cigarettes - were uncovered during the arrest and search operation in the Etna Drive-Jamaica Street area, with police now questioning a 41-year-old man about the find.

The DUP MP for North Belfast Nigel Dodds has since said those responsible for the mortar were intent on destruction and its discovery had prevented death or serious injury.

(BMcC/GK)