Pipe bomb devices found following Cavehill security alert

By Jonathan McCambridge (PA)

A number of viable pipe bombs have been discovered following a security alert in north Belfast.

The alert began on Tuesday at around 5:40pm after police received a report that a suspicious object had been located in the area close to Belfast Castle at Cavehill on the Antrim Road.

Detective Inspector Michael McDonnell said: “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.

“The devices have been made safe and have since been removed from the scene and taken away for further forensic examination.

“Our inquiries are ongoing and we appeal to anyone with any information that could assist with the investigation to contact detectives on 101, quoting reference number 1200 22/04/25.”

Alliance councillor Sam Nelson condemned the incident, describing the behaviour of those responsible as “reckless” and a “disgrace”.

He said: “The sheer lack of regard for the safety of the public shown by those responsible for this is as shocking as it is utterly abhorrent.

“This is a shared space that’s hugely popular with local residents. Beyond the distress and disruption caused to them, however, the area’s also highly frequented by visitors often experiencing Northern Ireland for the very first time.

“That this could be part of the impression we may leave on them is a disgrace.”