Northern Ireland

Residents evacuated from homes in Co Tyrone over ‘suspicious object’

Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon said an ‘improvised explosive device’ was discovered during searches of houses in the Maplebrook Court area of Coalisland

Police are at the scene of a security alert in County Tyrone. It follows a report of a suspicious object in Maplebrook Court in Coalisland. A number of homes in the street have been evacuated. PICTURE COLM LENAGHAN
Police are at the scene of a security alert in Coalisland, following reports of a suspicious object in the Maplebrook Court area. PICTURE: COLM LENAGHAN
By Allan Preston

RESIDENTS have been evacuated from their homes in Co Tyrone over the discovery of a suspicious object, described by an MLA as “an improvsied explosive device.”

The incident in the Maplebrook Court area of Coalisland was reported on Tuesday afternoon.

Motorists have been advised to avoid the area and seek other main routes for their journey.

Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon said residents were being evacuated after “the discovery of an improvised explosive device during searches of houses in the area.”

SDLP councillor Malachy Quinn estimated that up to 50 homes were still evacuated on Tuesday evening, with residents offered shelter in Dungannon Leisure Centre.

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“I believe a couple of families are already there and the council staff are doing great things for them, hopefully they won’t be out too long.

“Obviously if this device is viable it would be shocking for the community, nobody wants this especially in the middle of a housing development with young children.”

Police are at the scene of a security alert in County Tyrone. It follows a report of a suspicious object in Maplebrook Court in Coalisland. A number of homes in the street have been evacuated. PICTURE COLM LENAGHAN
Police are at the scene of a security alert in Coalisland, following reports of a suspicious object in the Maplebrook Court area. PICTURE: COLM LENAGHAN