Glenavy: Residents return home after 'viable device' found

Pacemaker Scene of Glenavy security alertPacemaker
Police attended the scene of the alert in Glenavy

Residents in Glenavy, County Antrim, who were evacuated during a security alert, have been allowed to return home.

A viable device was found on Main Street, in the village, on Wednesday, police say.

Ammunition technical officers (ATO) attended the scene and the item has been removed for forensic examination.

The road was closed to traffic with diversions in place, but has since reopened.

The security alert is now over.

In May, a viable pipe bomb was found in Glenavy. Green Party councillor Simon Lee said it was "disturbing" that another suspicious object had been found in the area.

Pacemaker Police attend the scene of Glenavy security alertPacemaker
The object was discovered in the same place a viable pipe bomb was found last month, according to a local councillor

"There are children travelling to school and this obviously endangers life," said Mr Lee.

"I can't understand the mindset of these people leaving a device."

Sinn Féin councillor Gary McCleave condemned the "reckless attack".

Mr McCleave said the object was discovered in the same place that a viable pipe bomb was found last month.

"There are young families living nearby and those responsible are not welcome in our community," he added.