Police commanders fear upsurge in dissident activity in Northern Ireland as 100th anniversary of Easter Rising approaches

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

Police have found a second bomb in a residential street in west Belfast. A security alert sparked by what police called a “suspicious object” in Glencolin Walk ended shortly before 10pm on Saturday.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) tweeted: “Security alert at Glencolin Walk, Belfast has ended. Suspicious object declared viable device. Glen Road has been reopened.”

Earlier, homeowners were evacuated as specialist officers removed a bomb from Ramoan Drive. Insp Mark Cavanagh said: “ATO [ammunition technical officers] examined a suspicious object and declared it a viable device. It has been taken away for further examination.”

The first alert was declared over at around 3pm.

The Sinn Fein MLA Alex Maskey condemned those behind the scares, which come a day after a prison guard was injured in a bomb attack in the east of the city.

He said: “Devices were left close to two homes in west Belfast over the last 24 hours. I condemn unreservedly the people behind these attacks who have succeeded only in putting the lives of local people at risk and bringing disruption to the community.

“It’s understood these attacks are linked to a despicable attempt at extortion by a criminal gang masquerading as Republicans. These people should end their criminality now and get off the backs of the community.”

A 52-year-old prison officer, a married father of three, required surgery after an explosive device detonated under the van he was driving to work on Friday morning. His condition is described as stable.

PSNI assistant chief constable Stephen Martin said he was extremely concerned about an upsurge in dissident activity before the centenary of the Easter Rising, the republican rebellion against British rule in Dublin.