A suspicious device recovered following a weekend security alert in Co Down is part of a mortar, a PSNI district commander has revealed.
Residents were forced to leave their homes for a period in Seaforde, near Newcastle following the discovery of a suspicious object on the Newcastle Road by a member of the public last Saturday.
The PSNI confirmed on Monday the recovered item is a suspected component part of a mortar.
District Commander Superintendent Norman Haslett said: “Following forensic examination we can confirm the device is suspected to be a component part of a mortar although no explosives were found within the device.
Fireworks were the cause of two security alerts in Co Antrim on Sunday, police have confirmed.
A stretch of the B66 Bann Road, between Agivey and Bendooragh, in the Ballymoney area, was closed in both directions.
In a separate incident within hours, officers closed the Glenstall Road and the Balnamore Road after being alerted to a second suspicious object near Agivey bridge.
A total of three suspicious objects were found in the area.
Police and Ammunition Technical Officers (ATO) attended the scene and after examination two of the objects were found to be fireworks and the third object was nothing untoward.
Police closed three Co Antrim roads to examine three suspicious objects
The PSNI are asking drivers to avoid the area due to the security alert
Updated
Stock image (Image: Justin Kernoghan/Belfast Live)
Never miss a thing from Belfast and beyond - sign up for FREE newsletter direct to your inboxInvalid EmailSomething went wrong, please try again later.
Subscribe
When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. OurPrivacy Noticeexplains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.