Residents evacuated during Ballynahinch security alert

Residents evacuated during Ballynahinch security alert

28 October 2015

RESIDENTS of a Ballynahinch housing estate were evacuated from their homes yesterday morning after the discovery of a suspicious device.

Army technical officers carried out a controlled explosion on the object at Hillcrest Lane, which was then taken away for further examination.

Following the security alert, local councillors Billy Walker, Terry Andrews and Mark Murnin, condemned the incident and its impact on local pensioners.

“This incident occurred during the school holidays and many children were in the area yesterday morning making their way to the nearby community centre,” said Mr Walker. “We do not need these people on the backs of the local people any longer.”

Mr Andrews said a lot of good work has taken place in Ballynahinch in recent years and this must not overshadow their work. “A very small minority of people do not speak for the good people of Ballynahinch.”

Mr Murnin said there are elderly people living in this area who will have had to leave their homes due to this hoax. “I utterly condemn this incident.

Detective Inspector Denise Graham appealed for anyone who witnessed the object being left in the area in the early hours of the morning to contact detectives in Downpatrick on the non-emergency number 101. 

Information can also be passed anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.