"Crude devices, capable of causing serious harm" made safe after alerts

Q Radio News

Two separate security alerts have ended in County Armagh after lasting several days.

PSNI Chief Superintendent Andy Freeburn said the devices left in Camlough and Maghery were crudely constructed and "capable of causing serious harm."

They have been made safe and removed.

There have been security alerts in the areas, close to Camlough Lake and Lough Neagh respectively, since the start of the week.

PSNI: Security alerts at Camlough and Maghery have ended with two crude devices, capable of causing serious harm, made safe and removed. Ch/Supt Andy Freeburn has thanked the local communities for their support and is appealing for anyone with information to call police on 101. pic.twitter.com/AD3DDIv3hI

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) March 24, 2021

The scene of the alert at Camlough

Mr Freeburn said police were keeping an open mind over the motivation of those who left the devices.

“I can confirm that both areas have now been made safe and we have removed two devices for forensic examination,” he said.

“These devices were of crude construction, but could have caused serious harm. We are at the very early stages of an investigation and are keeping an open mind as to the motivation.

“I would like to thank local communities for their support and patience as we worked to keep people safe.

“We are keen to hear from anyone who may have noticed any unusual activity or anything out of the ordinary in either the Newtown Road area of Camlough or in the vicinity of Milltown, Maghery, prior to 22 March.”

A specialist team moves into an area at Maghery on the north Armagh shores of Lough Neagh after the discovery a ‘suspicious object’.