Northern Ireland

ATO called after house is attacked in Magherafelt

A suspicious object was later declared to be an elaborate hoax
A suspicious object was later declared to be an elaborate hoax A suspicious object was later declared to be an elaborate hoax

BRITISH army technical officers were called to deal with a suspicious object in Magherafelt ater a house was attacked in the Leckagh Drive area of the town.

Police are appealing for information following the incident that saw every window in the house smashed sometime between 9pm on Thursday, January 5 and 6 on Friday, January 6,

The suspicious object was found after an examination of the premises. It was later declared an elaborate hoax.

A number of houses were evacuated during the incident with residents allowed to return to their houses shortly after midnight.

Detective Sergeant Fiona Mulholland appealed to anyone with information about theincident to contact detectives at Cookstown on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference 988 06/01/17. 

Alternatively, if someone would prefer to provide information without giving their details they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111.