East Belfast security alert met with widespread condemnation
An east Belfast security alert has been met with widespread condemnation.
Police received an anonymous call on Wednesday evening, stating that a number of explosive devices had been left at playing fields at Church Road in Castlereagh.
Officers attended the scene and nothing untoward was found. Police have now left the scene and the facility has re-opened.
It is believed the alert was an attempt to intimidate those using the playing fields, in particular East Belfast GAA, who were training at the site on Wednesday evening.
The alert has been condemned widely by political representatives.
East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson has condemned those behind the security alert at Henry Jones’ Playing Fields in Castlereagh.
The DUP MP said: “There can be no place for any kind of threat or intimidation in our society. Those behind this alert are in no way representative of the people of East Belfast or wider Northern Ireland.
“This would appear to be a clear attempt to intimidate those using the playing fields, in particular East Belfast GAA who were training there last night. This must be condemned by everyone and without reservation.
“Once again we must thank the police and security forces who searched the site and put themselves in harm’s way in order to keep us all safe. Thankfully nothing was found and the alert has now ended.”
East Belfast Ulster Unionist MLA, Andy Allen said: “This is totally abhorrent behaviour and is not representative of the wider East Belfast community. Whilst this was a hoax, the fear that this behaviour creates will be present amongst those who were training at the pitches last night.
“These pitches are widely used by all members of the community and those seeking to intimidate anyone playing sports there needs to wise up.”
SDLP Lisnasharragh Councillor Séamas de Faoite condemned those responsible.
Cllr de Faoite said: “Since late yesterday evening I have been liaising between East Belfast GAA, the PSNI and Council Officials to support players who were forced to leave Henry Jones playing fields due to a security alert.
“This threat is an appalling attempt to intimidate East Belfast GAA, who have brought people from across our community together in an appreciation of their sporting code.
“No team should feel threatened by those who seek to deny that the GAA can be just as much a part of the character and spirit of East Belfast as any other sport.
“I will continue to work with the club and the PSNI to do everything we can to assure the safety of players and supporters.”
Those behind a security alert at the training ground of East Belfast GAA are an “absolute disgrace,” Alliance Councillor Eric Hanvey has said.“The people behind this alert are an absolute disgrace and do not represent East Belfast."
“East Belfast GAA has received plaudits from right across the community, and rightly so, in their attempt to help build a better future in East Belfast by bringing people together via sport, so they can live, work and play together in peace.
“Those behind security alerts such as these are clearly not interested in something so positive but rather only division and destruction. They are unwanted in East Belfast or anywhere else, and I urge anyone with information on them to contact police with it immediately."