Controlled explosion carried out on suspicious device

A controlled explosion has been carried out on a suspicious object which caused a security alert in Co Fermanagh.

The alert in the Drumcru Road/Bun Road area of Newtownbutler led to a number of roads being closed.

Fermanagh and Omagh District Commander Superintendent Robert McGowan said: "Police received a report of a suspicious object in the area shortly after 12pm on Monday afternoon.

"Cordons that were in place on Drumcru Road, Bun Road and Crom Road have now been lifted this evening and all roads have reopened to traffic.

"A device discovered in the area has now been removed for further examination after Ammunition Technical Officers (ATO) carried out a controlled explosion on the object.

"I would like to thank the local community for their patience and understanding as a public safety operation was carried out overnight and into today."

He added: "I understand the disruption this can cause, however, our primary aim throughout the course of this operation was to keep our community safe, and I would like to thank our partner agencies for their support with this."

Meanwhile, a number of items have been taken away for further examination following the conclusion of a security alert in the Ballynahone Crescent area of Armagh.

Residents, who were evacuated for a number of hours on Tuesday, have returned to their homes and roads have reopened.

A PSNI spokesperson said: "By way of update, items recovered from the area have been taken away for further examination after ATO attended the scene.

"We have also received reports of a loud bang being heard in the area on Friday evening.

"We are keeping an open mind in terms of whether this was down to the partial collapse of a building in the area or something more sinister.

"Our inquiries into both the items recovered and the origins of this noise remain ongoing."