31/01/2025

Man Charged In Connection With South Belfast Security Alert

A 50-year-old has been arrested and charged in connection with Wednesday morning's security alert in south Belfast.

On the morning of 29 January, officers discovered a suspicious object in the Empire Street area. The object, believed to be an improvised grenade, has been removed and made safe by ATO – evacuated residents in the area have also been allowed to return home.

Chief Inspector Mark Conway said: "A 50-year-old man who was arrested has now been charged with a number of offences in connection with the investigation. He is due to appear before Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Friday morning, 31st January.

"We would reiterate our message that we are aware of inaccurate online speculation regarding this alert, and we advise the public not rely on such sources for their information.
News Image
"I would also like to thank the local community for their patience and understanding as a public safety operation was carried out overnight and into today.

"I fully understand the disruption this can cause, however, our primary aim throughout the course of this operation was to keep our community safe.

"Our enquiries remain ongoing, with a police presence remaining in the area overnight as we continue with our enquiries. Anyone with information which could assist our investigation or noticed anything suspicious in the area in recent days, is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 401 29/01/25."

A report can also be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/

You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org/

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

27 November 2006
Man remanded over incendiary attack
A 22-year-old man has appeared in Belfast Magistrates court charged in connection with causing an explosion likely to endanger life.
10 August 2006
Man remanded over city attack
A 22-year-old man has been remanded in custody charged with attempted murder and obstruction. Andrew Aparicio, of Kilbroney House in the Cregagh estate in east Belfast appeared at Belfast Magistrates Court today, charged in connection with the serious assault on a man in in the Connsbrooke Avenue area of the city shortly before 12.
19 January 2006
Two due in court charged with riotous behaviour
A 21-year-old-man is due to appear in Belfast Magistrates Court today, charged with riotous assembly. The man, who is from the Highfield area of the city, is charged in connection with riotous behaviour in North Belfast, following the contentious Whiterock parade on September 10, 2005.
13 April 2005
Girlfriend of security guard taken hostage during robbery
Police have released further details following Tuesday’s armed robbery of a security firm in the outskirts of Belfast.
07 June 2006
Two released in Loughinisland murder investigation
Two people arrested yesterday in connection with the with the murder of six men in County Down in 1994, have been released without charge. The 45-year-old man and 38-year-old woman were arrested in the greater Belfast area yesterday morning and were held for questioning at the serious crime suite in Antrim.