60 evacuated after bomb hoax

60 evacuated after bomb hoax

19 March 2014

UP to 60 people were evacuated from their homes in Burren Meadow in Newcastle on Tuesday night following the discovery of a suspicious object.

Families were forced to take refuge in the Newcastle Centre overnight while the item, which was discovered at around 00.40am, was examined by army bomb disposal officers.

It was subsequently declared an elaborate hoax and the residents were allowed to return to their homes on Wednesday.

Alliance councillor Patrick Clarke condemned those responsible for the disruption and said it was unfair that children and babies were forced to leave their homes to take refuge in the Newcastle Centre while the device was being examined.

He said council staff, who opened the Newcastle Centre to deal with the evacuees, had responded quickly to the emergency call.

“Council officers and staff responded quickly and looked after nearly 60 residents in Newcastle Centre up until after 7.40am when the final clear was given,” he said.

“Thankfully Down Council was able to swing into action its emergency plan with officers and staff promptly responding to the call by the PSNI to open Newcastle Centre as a ‘rest centre’ until the suspicious device at Burren Meadow was dealt with.

“It is utterly deplorable that the perpetrators who left the elaborate hoax in the Burren Meadow area had no respect or concern for the health and well-being of local residents some with young families who were forced to leave their homes in the early hours and take refuge in Newcastle Centre.