The Five Demands

‘Viable device’ in Newtownabbey alert (UTV)

A crude but viable explosive device has been found at the centre of a security alert in Newtownabbey, Co Antrim.

It was discovered in the Arthur Road area at around 10am on Wednesday.

A number of nearby houses had to be evacuated and the area was closed to traffic between Whitewell Road and the Abbey Centre while the army bomb squad investigated.

The device, a viable explosive, has now been made safe and taken away for further tests.

Police said residents have been allowed to return to their homes and appealed for anyone with further information on the discovery to get in touch.

Sinn Féin councillor Gerry O’Reilly has condemned those responsible for the alert.

He said: “Time and time again local communities are being disrupted with people being forced from their homes due to these groups.

“These incidents are achieving absolutely nothing in political terms and the people involved need to realise that and desist immediately.”