Northern Ireland

Viable device found during Carrickfergus alert

Police and army at the scene of a security alert in the Carrickfergus area of Co Antrim. Picture by Mal McCann
Police and army at the scene of a security alert in the Carrickfergus area of Co Antrim. Picture by Mal McCann Police and army at the scene of a security alert in the Carrickfergus area of Co Antrim. Picture by Mal McCann

A viable device was found during a security alert in Carrickfergus.

Police were called after a suspicious object was found in the Sullatober Square area of the Co Antrim town.

Several homes were evacuated and army bomb experts attended the scene.

The object was examined, declared as viable and taken away for further examination.

"Police would like to thank the local community for their patience as officers worked to make the area safe," a spokesman said.

"Enquiries are continuing to establish the circumstances surrounding this incident. Police would appeal to anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area to contact 101."