Security alert in west Belfast declared an elaborate hoax

A security alert sparked in west Belfast following the discovery of a suspicious object has been declared an elaborate hoax.

The alert at Islandbawn Drive was sparked on Sunday night.

A number of homes were evacuated.

• Northern Ireland traffic alerts: Falls Road closed at Islandbawn Drive due to security alert 

The Falls Road has re-opened. 

The PSNI said the object was examined and declared an elaborate hoax.

Officers thanked the public for their patience while they worked to make the area safe.

Sinn Fein MP Paul Maskey condemned those behind the alert.

He told the Belfast Telegraph: "First of all it's a suspicious device found in the street and whoever left that there I want to condemn outright and especially on Christmas Eve.

"It is a small street and thankfully there are only a small number of homes on it.

"But there has been a number of people asked to leave their homes because of the potential danger."

SDLP councillor Tim Attwood said the alert caused chaos.

He said: “It’s unthinkable that families have been forced from their homes on Christmas Eve as police investigate a suspicious object in west Belfast."

Ongoing incident in Islandbawn Street -PSNI checking on suspicious device. Dreadful that some people have been put out of their homes on Christmas Eve. Hopefully it will be resolved soon @SDLPlive

— Tim Attwood (@cllrtimattwood) December 24, 2017

Belfast Telegraph Digital