20/09/2019

Mortar Component Recovered In Co Down Alert

A suspected component of a mortar has been discovered during a security alert in Castlewellan, County Down.

Police established a presence in the Priests Road area of the town on Wednesday evening, 18 September, after a member of the public came across the suspicious object.

A number of roads remained closed until Thursday afternoon when the item was removed for forensic examination and the operation ended.

Police said that while the component was not a viable device, it "could have been something more sinister".

Detective Inspector Graham Orr from the PSNI's Terrorism Investigation Unit thanked the community for their co-operation while the area was made safe.

He said: "The component will now be subject to detailed forensic examination however our initial assessment is whilst this was not a viable device, it is clear that this is a component that could have been part of something more sinister.

"We know that the vast majority of people support our police officers and simply want to live in a peaceful society. We will continue to work with communities to disrupt the activities of the small group of people who are intent on using violence."

Anyone with information that may help the investigation is asked to call 101, quoting reference number 1860 of 18/09/19.



(JG/CM)

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