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'I found bogus bomb and made it into a log burner - but police took it away'

John-Joe Kelly found a "fake bomb" on the Bangor carriageway on July 13
John-Joe Kelly found a "fake bomb" on the Bangor carriageway on July 13 John-Joe Kelly found a "fake bomb" on the Bangor carriageway on July 13

A Belfast man has told of how police turned up at his home to retrieve a "fake bomb" he had discovered on a main carriageway and took home to convert into a "quirky" log burner.

John-Joe Kelly took to social media to announce that police had paid him a visit on Monday as "apparently, the police don't like civilians disposing of bombs".

Mr Kelly revealed on Facebook on Friday, July 13 that he had just found "the s**test fake bomb ever made placed on the Bangor carriageway, thought id save everyone the hassle of the road closure and took it home lol. #freebomb".

Mr Kelly started work on the object - a gas bottle with wires coming out of it - with plans to turn it into a "quirky VW camper styled log burner".

A "fake bomb" found on a main road on July 13 
A "fake bomb" found on a main road on July 13  A "fake bomb" found on a main road on July 13 

However, on Monday, Mr Kelly updated his followers on what happened next.

"Well it turns out that removing hoax bombs from public roads before the police get there is kinda frowned upon by the PSNI, they paid me a visit today and took it all away for forensic testing etc etc, although i must say it was a friendly event and they seemed to appreciate the funny side of it lol.

"The funniest thing about it tho was that id already nearly finished turning the gas bottle part of it into a quirky VW camper styled log burner. It was nearly finished but instead of smoking away and keeping people warm at a garden party, it now resides in the PSNI forensic science lab lol".

A 'quirky' log burner made from a "fake bomb" found on a main road outside Bangor on July 13
A 'quirky' log burner made from a "fake bomb" found on a main road outside Bangor on July 13 A 'quirky' log burner made from a "fake bomb" found on a main road outside Bangor on July 13

Mr Kelly's find came just a day after police revealed on the Eleventh Night that the UVF was intending "to orchestrate and participate in serious disorder in east Belfast" following the removal of bonfire material from two sites in east Belfast.