A device at the centre of an overnight security alert in Magherafelt on Saturday may have been a “viable explosive”, according to police.
Residents in the Golf Terrace area of the Co Derry town were evacuated after a suspicious object was reported outside a home at around 7.20pm on August 2.
Ammunition Technical Officers later carried out a controlled explosion after they deemed that the device may have been a plausible explosive.
Road more: Security alert ends in Magherafelt
The road remained closed until Sunday morning and residents were allowed to return to their homes.
Police say a controlled explosion was carried out after it was deemed the device may have been a ‘viable explosive’. PICTURE: JONATHAN PORTER/PRESSEYE
A police spokesperson said: “Police received a report of a suspicious object outside a residential property at around 7.20pm on Saturday.
“Officers attended the scene and a safety operation was put in place.
“The road was closed to motorists and a number of local residents had to be evacuated from their homes overnight.
“Ammunition Technical Officers determined that the object may have been a viable explosive device and carried out a controlled explosion, before residents were able to return to their homes on Sunday morning.”
They added that it was “an extremely distressing experience for residents, who had to deal with the fear of this device in their community alongside the discomfort and inconvenience of being put out of their homes.”
The device has been taken away for further examination and police are attempting to establishing the circumstances surrounding the incident.
SDLP Mid Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone said families were forced from their homes for hours overnight.
“The people at Golf Terrace were out of their homes from 7 o’clock last night until just after 4 o’clock this morning,” he said.
“I was on site with residents until the early hours, and I want to pay tribute to the community for their patience, resilience, and cooperation during what was a deeply distressing and unacceptable disruption to their lives.”
“There is absolutely no justification for bringing this type of fear and disorder into our community.”
Mr McGlone said he had requested an urgent meeting with Choice Housing, Praxis Care, and the PSNI.