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Police at the scene of a security alert in north Belfast at Cavehill (Photo by Jonathan Porter / PressEye)
Mark Edwards & Kevin Scott
Today at 18:04
Viable pipe bomb devices and ammunition were recovered as a north Belfast security alert at Cavehill has ended, police confirmed.
The PSNI said the devices have been made safe and taken away for further examination,
Shortly after 9:30am, two controlled explosions could be heard across north Belfast.
Belfast Castle was closed as Ammunition Technical Officers dealt with the incident.
Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, a resident said: “Police were on the pathway up here last night, we were out walking our dog at the time, they were everywhere, but I’m not sure if it’s related.
“This place is usually quiet, we get some bother from kids at the weekend, but nothing like this.”
Police at the scene of a security alert in north Belfast at Cavehill (Photo by Jonathan Porter / PressEye)
Police at the scene of ongoing security alert at Cavehill in north Belfast
A security alert at Cavehill in the Antrim Road area of north Belfast has ended.
PSNI Detective Inspector Michael McDonnell said: “At approximately 5.40pm on Tuesday 22nd April, police received a report that a suspicious object had been located in the area close to Belfast Castle.
“Officers attended the scene along with Ammunition Technical Officers and a number of viable pipe bomb type devices were discovered along with a quantity of ammunition.
North Belfast MP, John Finucane, previously posted to social media asking people to avoid the area: “There is an ongoing security alert in the Cave Hill area.
“The Antrim Road entrance to Cave Hill Country Park & Belfast Castle is closed.
“I would encourage people to avoid the area while this incident is ongoing — I will keep you updated with any further developments.”
Belfast Zoo confirmed that the zoo remains open today and reported that it has not been affected by today’s alert.
A police spokesperson confirmed that the alert is still ongoing and appealed to the public to avoid the area of the Antrim Road at this time.