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A number of homes were evacuated in the Pinebank area after two suspicious objects were discovered on Sunday morning.

Police declared them both ‘viable devices’ and they have been removed for examination.

Inspector Adam Ruston said: “We’re grateful to local people for their patience today. Families had to leave their homes, having their afternoon disrupted, while we worked to make the area safe.

Pictured: PSNI and Army Technical Officers at the scene of a security alert in Craigavon. Picture: Philip Magowan / PressEye

“Most importantly, it’s fortunate that no-one was physically injured. The consequences of this could have been devastating.

“I am appealing to anyone with information to contact us on 101, quoting reference number 703 of 10/05/20.

“Information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.”

Sinn Féin Cllr Catherine Nelson praised a local GAA club which opened its premises for residents affected by the alert.

Police are investigating a security alert in Craigavon in County Armagh.
The police said several homes have been evacuated following the discovery of a suspicious object in the Pinebank area on Sunday morning.
A section of Pinebank has been closed to traffic, and Army technical officers are at the scene. — Police are investigating a security alert in Craigavon in County Armagh. The police said several homes have been evacuated following the discovery of a suspicious object in the Pinebank area on Sunday morning. A section of Pinebank has been closed to traffic, and Army technical officers are at the scene.

“Those responsible showed absolutely no regard for the Pinebank community and are to be condemned. Anyone with information should bring it forward.

“It is disappointing that the PSNI did not engage council to kickstart our emergency plan for the evacuated.

“Thanks very much however to local GAA club Éire Óg who, with five minutes notice, had contacted the Ulster council and opened the club for evacuated residents.”

Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie said: “Yet again we see terrorists endangering the community in the heart of Craigavon. The news that two viable Improvised Explosives Devices ( IEDs) have been found and cleared by the ATO sends out a clear message that these terrorists care nothing about the people of Craigavon.

“We have seen previously their contempt for the police and their eagerness to kill to promote their perverse aims. It achieves nothing but endangers the lives of men, women and children who lives in Pinebank or the wider Craigavon.

“We must be clear that this was not the actions of an individual but a coordinated action by a number of individuals. Someone acquired the component parts for the device, someone made it, somebody transported it and someone placed it. That cannot be done without someone knowing who is responsible.

“It is time we told these career terrorists they are no longer welcome, that they are from a past we will not return too. It is time we put them behind bars.

“If anyone has information, for the sake of their children, their community, our society, they must inform the police.”

Pictured: Army Technical Officers at the scene of a security alert in Craigavon. Picture: Philip Magowan / PressEye

Carla Lockhart MP said, “the two suspicious objects discovered in the Pinebank area were declared viable and have been removed for further investigation.

“Families have been allowed to return to their homes and the scene has been stood down. This has been such an inconvenience to those affected particularly at a time when strict regulations are in place.

“This is reckless behaviour and if one of these devices had gone off it could have killed or seriously injured someone. I would appeal to anyone with information to come forward to the PSNI.

“I want to commend the police and the army technical officers for making this as swift a process as possible so that the families can return to their houses.”

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‘Viable’ devices found at Craigavon security alert could have been ‘devastating’