SINN FÉIN has hit out after the discovery of suspected Second World War munitions in the nets of a fishing boat in Co Down.
However, unionists accused South Down MP Chris Hazzard of "taking hate of all things British to a new level" after he warned that coastal communities were being put in danger.
The harbour at Ardglass was cordoned off on Saturday morning when a boat returned from the Irish Sea and the crew made the discovery.
The two explosive shells were examined by army technical officers, with a police spokesman saying they were "believed to be from the era of WW2".
The find drew criticism from Sinn Féin, including South Down MP Chris Hazzard.
In a social media post on Saturday, he wrote: "Ardglass harbour evacuated as local trawler returns with a special catch in its nets - yet more British Army munitions - completely unacceptable that these munitions are regularly putting our coastal communities in danger in Co Down."
In a later post, he added: "These munitions were dumped in the Irish Sea with little or no concern for the people of Ireland - who, increasingly of late, face the consequences of them washing ashore or getting caught in trawler nets."
Sinn Féin MLA Emma Rogan also urged people to avoid the area sand said: "This is totally unacceptable and yet again this has placed our local coastal communities in danger and caused huge disruption to people's lives."
Former SDLP MP Margaret Ritchie, now a member of the House of Lords, also said she would be tabling questions to the British government about the find.
However, Mr Hazzard's comments prompted criticism from unionist representatives.
UUP Ards and North Down councillor Philip Smith tweeted: "These munitions are WW2 vintage. And currently being dealt with by Army ATO. But any opportunity to have a go at the Brits, eh Chris?"
Ulster Unionist MLA and former British soldier Doug Beattie also tweeted: "It takes hate of all things British to a new level.... now it’s British WW2 ammunition. Genuinely embarrassed for Chris."
