Security alert is over in Magherafelt

A security alert in Magherafelt has ended.

A PSNI statement on Sunday read: “Police received a report of a suspicious object outside a residential property at around 7.20pm on Saturday, 2nd August.

“Officers attended the scene and a safety operation was put in place. The road was closed to motorists and a number of local residents had to be evacuated from their homes overnight.

“Ammunition Technical Officers determined that the object may have been a viable explosive device and carried out a controlled explosion, before residents were able to return to their homes on Sunday morning.”

It continued: “This was an extremely distressing experience for residents, who had to deal with the fear of this device in their community alongside the discomfort and inconvenience of being put out of their homes.

“The device has been taken away for further examination and detectives are keen to establish the circumstances surrounding this report.

"Our enquiries are ongoing and we appeal to anyone with any information to contact us on 101, quoting reference number 1410 02/08/25.”