A HOAX bomb alert at an Orange hall in west Belfast has been branded an attempt to "heighten tensions" in the run up to the marching season.
The County Grand Orange Lodge of Belfast condemned those responsible for placing a hoax pipe bomb in the grounds of Springfield Orange hall.
Several homes near the hall were evacuated at around 1pm yesterday. Police also closed Whiterock Road in both directions between Dunboyne Park and the West Circular roundabout.
Police later said the suspicious object was a hoax.
County Master Spencer Beattie accused those behind the alert of attempting to "intimidate the local lodge and heighten tensions in the run up to the July period".
"Lodge members feel extremely hurt to be targeted in such a malicious fashion," he said.
"They have been through all of this before with the hall being attacked on several previous occasions.
"We hoped such terror attacks were wedded to the past. Regrettably, it would seem there remains a minority intent on causing fear and division."
Police appealed to anyone with information to contact them.
