19/10/2005

Hoax device left outside Larne school

Two controlled explosions have been carried out on a suspect object outside a school in Co Antrim on Wednesday morning.

The device was found by a pupil outside the gates of Larne Grammar school shortly before 9am. Pupils were evacuated to a nearby church hall while the device was examined.

The device, which was later declared a hoax, is being linked to a meeting of Larne District Policing Partnership which is scheduled to take place at the school on Wednesday evening.

Policing Board Chairman Professor Sir Desmond Rea condemned the incident.

“To cause the evacuation of children from their school just to make a political point is unforgivable," Sir Desmond said. "Although there may in the end have been no viable device, how can causing that level of worry to children be justified?"

Tonight's meeting of DPP members is still scheduled to go ahead.

(MB/SP)

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