A security alert has ended at pitches used by the East Belfast GAA team after two suspicious objects were found to be hoax devices.
Police received a report at around noon on Friday of two objects at Henry Jones Playing Fields in the Church Road area of east Belfast.
It is the latest in a series of incidents which have taken place at the playing fields since the club started using the pitches in 2020.
The public were asked to avoid the area, and Church Road was closed as army technical officers carried out tests on the suspicious objects.
A PSNI spokesperson said: ”Once again, this has caused considerable inconvenience to those who live in the vicinity, but public safety has to remain our top priority.
“We would like to thank the community for their patience and cooperation while this operation was carried out.”
They added: “Our enquiries are ongoing. Anyone with information which could assist with our investigation is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 657 of 16/08/24 .”
Earlier this week, Belfast City Council confirmed to the Irish News that work would begin on the installation of CCTV at the council-owned facility next month.
Car park lighting will also be installed as an additional security measure following at least seven incidents at the ground, including a number of security alerts and attacks on facilities.
SDLP Lisnasharragh councillor Séamas de Faoite says the repeated security alerts on the playing fields are hurting the local community.
“The groups behind these repeated security alerts at Henry Jones Playing Fields are doing so in an attempt to intimidate East Belfast GAA and force them out of the area solely because they wish to take part in Gaelic games in this community,” he said.
“So far their efforts have been unsuccessful and they will continue to be as the majority of people stand with the club and others who have been affected.
“All these repeated security alerts are achieving is causing disruption to the lives of those who live and work in this area. In the vicinity of these pitches is a primary school, two nurseries and local housing, all of which suffer as a result of these alerts. Very young children have been forced out of nursery and for what?
“It has been eleven days since the last security alert at this area and this cannot be allowed to continue. Council is working to deliver CCTV in this vicinity, but we also need to see those behind these constant attacks held responsible.”
The councilor added: “No sports team or community should have to live in the spectre of regular security alerts and the sinister elements responsible for this campaign must be stopped.”
