A security alert at playing fields in the Castlereagh hills has ended with “nothing untoward” found.
Police confirmed the news in a statement issued on Tuesday evening. The news came after an alert which started on Monday evening and lead to a road closure and a request from police to avoid the area.
The bomb squad was called in and an army ATO robot deployed at the scene. The incident lead to widespread anger at the fact sporting events at the Belfast Council playing fields had to be cancelled. East Belfast GAA have been granted Council access to the facility in recent weeks.
The police have not said what sparked the alert, in the Church Road area of Castlereagh, only that nothing was found. However, they did add that their "enquiries remain ongoing".
Chief Inspector Rosemary Thompson, Area Commander for east Belfast said: “A thorough search of the playing fields at Church Road in Castlereagh has been conducted and thankfully, nothing untoward has been found.
“Police have now left the scene and the pitches have re-opened. We would like to thank the public for their patience as searches in the area were carried out overnight and into today.
“Our enquiries remain ongoing and anyone with information which could assist with our investigation is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 1953 of 22/05/23.”
The police added that a report can also be submitted online using their non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org/.
READ NEXT:
Man, 46, driving electric scooter passes away after road accident
NI woman struck by Garda car remembered in heartbreaking tributes
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.
