A number of homes were evacuated in west Belfast after police found suspicious devices during a search operation on Friday morning, while residents in Dervock in Ballymoney have returned to their homes following a separate security alert. A 35-year-old man arrested on suspicion of offences under the Terrorism Act remains in police custody.
Earlier on Friday, police said they were searching two properties in the Shankill Road area as part of an investigation into suspected terrorism offences. Police said a safety cordon is in place. Officers are at a house in Edwina Street, off the Shankill Road, accompanied by Army Ammunition Technical Officers.
The PSNI confirmed a suspicious object was found in the Greystone Crescent area of Ballymoney in County Antrim. Residents in Dervock in Ballymoney have returned to their homes following a separate security alert.
DUP councillor Ian McLaughlin said he was "shocked and saddened" by developments in the Shankill Road area. He said he understood what began as a "low level house search" had quickly escalated, describing the incident as an "unwanted and completely unwarranted incident" in what he described as a normally quiet community. TUV councillor Ron McDowell said police should be given "the time and space to conclude their investigation".
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The discovery of suspicious devices and a counter-terrorism arrest highlights ongoing security concerns within Belfast communities.
- The evacuation of homes and deployment of army bomb experts directly disrupts local life and raises public safety fears.
- The separate alert in Ballymoney suggests a coordinated operation or a heightened security posture across County Antrim.
Background
Police confirmed the Shankill Road searches are part of an investigation into suspected terrorism offences.
Key Perspectives
DUP councillor Ian McLaughlin: described the incident as shocking, saddening, unwanted and wholly unwarranted for the quiet community.
TUV councillor Ron McDowell: urged the public to allow police the time and space to complete their investigation.
What to Watch
- The outcome of the police interviews with the 35-year-old man in custody.
- Whether the suspicious devices in Belfast and Ballymoney are linked.
- Any further community reaction or calls for calm as the cordons remain in place.
Checked
10 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 9 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedA number of west Belfast homes were evacuated after police found suspicious devices during a Friday morning search operation.BBC Northern Ireland: “A number of homes have been evacuated after police found "a number of suspicious devices" during a search operation in west Belfast on Friday morning.”
- SupportedResidents in Dervock in Ballymoney returned home after a separate security alert.BBC Northern Ireland: “Residents were allowed to return to their homes shortly before 22:30 and all cordons have now been lifted from the area.”
- SupportedA 35-year-old man arrested on suspicion of Terrorism Act offences remained in police custody.BBC Northern Ireland: “A 35-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of offences under the Terrorism Act, remains in police custody.”
- Partly supportedA police cordon was in place at Edwina Street.BBC Northern Ireland: “Police said on Friday evening that a safety cordon is in place and they have asked the public to avoid the area.”
- SupportedPolice said they were searching two properties in the Shankill Road area as part of an investigation into suspected terrorism offences.BBC Northern Ireland: “Earlier on Friday, police said they were searching two properties in the Shankill Road area as part of an investigation into suspected terrorism offences.”
- SupportedOfficers were at a house in Edwina Street, accompanied by Army Ammunition Technical Officers.BBC Northern Ireland: “Officers are at a house in Edwina Street, off the Shankill Road, accompanied by Army Ammunition Technical Officers (ATO).”
- SupportedThe PSNI confirmed a suspicious object was found in Greystone Crescent in Ballymoney, County Antrim.BBC Northern Ireland: “The PSNI also confirmed a suspicious object was found in the Greystone Crescent area of Ballymoney in County Antrim.”
- SupportedIan McLaughlin said he was “shocked and saddened” by developments in the Shankill Road area.BBC Northern Ireland: “DUP councillor Ian McLaughlin said he was "shocked and saddened" by events in the area.”
- SupportedMcLaughlin said the operation began as a “low level house search” and quickly escalated, and described it as an “unwanted and completely unwarranted incident” in a normally quiet community.BBC Northern Ireland: “He said he understood what began as a "low level house search" had quickly escalated. McLaughlin described it as an "unwanted and completely unwarranted incident" in what he said was a normally quiet community.”
- SupportedRon McDowell said police should be given “the time and space to conclude their investigation”.BBC Northern Ireland: “TUV councillor Ron McDowell said police should be "given the time and space to conclude their investigation".”