Police have described the suspicious object that sparked a security alert in Newry as a “crude yet viable device”.
The discovery led to the closure of Newry’s Monaghan Street by police, while properties in the area were evacuated.
Ammunition Technical Officers carried out a controlled explosion and the device was removed for further forensic examination.
Monaghan Street has since reopened to traffic and pedestrians.
PSNI Inspector Kelly Gibson said: “This security alert on one of Newry’s busiest streets has caused major disruption to local businesses and resulted in some people being evacuated from their homes today as we conducted this public safety operation.
”We would like to thank them for their understanding and patience as we conducted our investigations.”
She added: “Our enquiries are continuing and anyone with any information is asked to contact us on 101, quoting reference number 294 of 20/06/24.”
Earlier in the day, Newry and Armagh SDLP MLA Justin McNulty condemned those behind the alert in a social media post.
“Monaghan Street in Newry evacuated because of an apparent viable pipe bomb. Businesses all forced to close,” he said.
“We thought these days were long gone.”
Sinn Féin Newry, Mourne and Down councillor Aidan Mathers also hit out at those responsible, saying they “have nothing to offer the community only chaos”.
“This device was left by criminals to deliberately cause chaos and to scare and intimidate,” he said.
“The local community and businesses have been greatly inconvenienced.
“We do not want this on our streets. Those engaged in these criminal acts motivated by either greed or to intimidate, need to cease their anti community activities.”
