Northern Ireland

Link between arson and security alert in Co Antrim being investigated

Small fire caused damage at a business in the early hours of Friday

Police closed part of the Ballyutoag Road during Wednesday's security alert. PICTURE: COLM LENAGHAN
Part of the Ballyutoag Road was closed by police during a security alert last month. PICTURE: COLM LENAGHAN

Police in Co Antrim are investigating a link between an arson incident at a business and the discovery last month of two hoax devices that sparked a security alert.

A small fire was found to have been started close to a portacabin in the Ballyutoag Road area outside Belfast between 1.am and 1.20am on Friday morning.

Police later arrived following a report and found the fire had caused damage to wooden decking.

A PSNI spokesperson said a link is being investigated between the arson and a report of two suspicious objects found in the same area on June 12.



The objects were later declared as elaborate hoaxes.

“An investigation is underway and officers would appeal to anyone with any information in relation to this incident or June’s security alert to contact police at Antrim on 101, quoting reference number 205 05/07/24,” the spokesperson added.