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Updated 18.20pm
A VIABLE EXPLOSIVE device left by masked men in a bank in Newry, Co Down, has been defused by army officers.
The PSNI have confirmed that the two men walked into a building this morning with their faces covered and dropped a bag, before making off. According to RTÉ, the men issued a warning that a device would explode in 45 minutes at the town’s Santander bank.
Police cordoned off the town’s Margaret Square, along with the areas around Hill Street and Market Street, forcing dozens of businesses to shut their doors. An army technical squad was called in to deal with the device.
PSNI Chief Inspector David Beck this afternoon confirmed that the bomb was “a viable device capable of causing death, serious injury and damage to the area.” He also expressed his gratitude to the army officers for preventing the device from detonating.
Local MLA Dominic Bradley has told UTV the alert bears “all the hallmarks of dissident IRA activity”, adding: “The people of Newry are very angry the commercial life of Newry is being disrupted.” The PSNI are appealing for anyone with information to call Newry CID or Crimestoppers.
There was also a second security alert after a suspicious package was discovered in Ballymoney, Co Antrim this morning. The town’s Ozone Avenue and Meeting House Street were cordoned off.
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R.I.P
So tragic. RIP.
What an amazing live band, hope they continue. Condolences to family and friends
R.I.P.
I’ll have a Mass said for him and will pray for him too. God bless you and may you rest in The Lord Taidgh Burke.
RIP Tadhg. Sincere condolences to his family and friends
So sad …. Poor guy Rest in peace
So not fair, rip .
Why would anyone hit the dislike button on comments sympathising
@john was thinking the very same,I’m starting to believe it’s the journal doing all this red thumbing to stir things up . Because for the life of me I can’t understand why ppl would dislike a comment like r.i.p ?
Terry, this is absolutely not the case.
Hi Aoife Ii know it’s not and I do apologise ,I was just annoyed with the fact that there are ppl red thumbing someone writing r.i.p disgusting individuals !!!
Because they are a crowd of red-thumbing sh”ts, especially whenever religion is mentioned.
Rip Taidgh. You will be missed. Sleep well
Patrick I am asking u as a close friend of Taidhg’s, for the second time to remove ur comments and stop commenting before his Mother see’s them. Taidhg was a back seat passenger in a tragic accident. He had no intention of leaving us. I’m asking u compassionately to remove your comments and stop hurting us even more.
Pa Curran, question, is there several commentators on here with the same christian name, if so I apologise on my behalf if any offence has been committed .
Terribly sad. R.I.P.
Its an unfortunate consequence of technology that people can post comments on a public forum for the world to see, they are completely removed, both emotionally and physically from the situation, they are often commenting on something they know nothing about. Its fine to express ones point of view or opinions for some topics but for others it can be down right heartless & disrespectful. This Man was someones Son, someones Brother, someones friend. When commenting on posts like these put yourself in the families situation before you post.
Very sad. May he rest in peace.
Rip so young very sad, thoughts with his family and friends
Not necessarily so William. RIP Taidgh .
Not necessarily so ,RIP Tadgh.
Very sad, heaven has gained a bass player, , :)
Niamh, terribly sorry for your loss.
Well done on having the strength to come on here and respond in such a dignified manner to such ignorance. I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been seeing the awful things people will say, for what reason remains unknown.
When a young person dies in such tragic circumstances who was a friend, a son, a brother and clearly by your comment a much loved and respected individual it isn’t too much to ask that it might provoke a little more sympathy and mindfulness in people rather than being being so distasteful, rash and disrespectful.
Well said again.
His poor family . Sincere condolences. His mam sounds like a true angel donating his organs and thinking of others in this hard time.
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