Police say “nothing untoward” has been found after a security alert was sparked at pitches used by East Belfast GAA.
Searches were carried out at the Henry Jones playing fields on Monday following a report to an elected representative that devices have been left at playing fields in the Church Road area.
The public had been advised to avoid the area.
In a statement shortly after 8pm, a PSNI spokeswoman confirmed that the security alert had ended.
“Police received a report just before 10.25am that a claim had been made to an elected representative that a number of devices had been left in the vicinity of playing fields in the Church Road area of the city,” she said.
“Two nearby roads were closed and premises, including a nursery and a school which was hosting a summer scheme, were evacuated.
“A thorough search of the area has been conducted and, thankfully, nothing untoward has been found.
“We would like to thank the public for their patience and cooperation as searches were carried out.
“We appreciate this has caused considerable inconvenience, particularly to the children and their parents, but public safety is our priority.
“Our enquiries into the origin of the claim remain ongoing.
“Anyone with information which could assist with our investigation is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 456 of 05/08/24 .”
DUP leader Gavin Robinson had earlier condemned the incident.
In a social media post the East Belfast MP said: “After an appalling weekend of trouble, this raises its head again.
“Not for the first time, there is a security alert at Henry Jones. Not for the first time, sport is the target and children in a (summer) school are the victims.
“Not for the first time, it’s clear it won’t work. It’s achieving nothing.”
SDLP councillor Séamas de Faoite also had called for an end to repeated attacks on East Belfast GAA and their playing facilities.
He said the establishment of East Belfast GAA had been welcomed by the vast majority of the local community in the area.
“But still a narrow minded and backwards element continue to target this club for having the temerity to take part in gaelic games,” he said.
“This is the latest in a long line of attacks on their playing facilities, but I know this club won’t be intimidated.”
“To the people behind these attacks I say loudly and clearly that they will not succeed in ruining something positive or in creating further division in the community.
“People of all ages and from diverse backgrounds come to this club to engage in a sport that brings people together, in stark contrast to those who wish to drive people apart.
“Council is currently working on bringing CCTV to this site so that those who regularly target these facilities can be held accountable.”
A crèche near the scene of the alert had advised parents it has not been required to evacuate the premises by PSNI.
It said: “We have been asked to request that families avoid untimely collections of children and try to collect them at the usually time to keep the roads clear.”
