Drugs Link To Bomb Alert

There have been bomb alerts on both sides of the border - with drugs now being linked to a Dublin bomb parts find.

In Co Down a bomb alert has delayed flights while gardaí in Dublin have also been investigating the discovery of bomb-making components during a search for drugs.

It happened when the Irish police searched a house this morning and uncovered a sustantial haul of heroin - valued at €75,000.

Part of the historic Smithfield market area was sealed off on Friday following the discovery on Paul Street in the north side of the city.

The normally quiet cul-de-sac then saw an Irish army bomb disposal team at work to examine the objects.

While they quickly declared the area to be safe, a Defence Forces spokesman said the items found at the house could potentially have been used to make four pipebombs.

The police later said that a 20-year-old man was being held over suspected drug trafficking offences.

The area was sealed off after the raid at 7am and only given the all clear by the bomb disposal team three hours later.

In Northern Ireland, a bomb alert near a large army base in Co Down is now over, although disruption has been caused to flights.

Passengers heading to George Best Belfast City Airport are being advised to check in as normal as delayed flights are being cleared.

The security alert was at the Ordnance Depot at Kinnegar army base, which is under the immediate flight path of most flights.

The PSNI said on Friday that an item was examined but it is not now thought to be suspicious.

There was disruption to flights for a time but the airport says no more delays are expected.

It is understood flights from Birmingham and Blackpool were diverted to the International airport.

(BMcC/GK)