Image caption Police and Gardaí at the scene

A senior police officer has condemned dissident republicans for causing a security alert in County Fermanagh.

A controlled explosion was carried out on a suspicious object, which was spotted by a member of the public at Clogh near Rosslea.

It was later declared to be a hoax.

PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland) Superintendent Clive Beatty blamed dissident republicans who "went to great lengths" to make the device seem viable.

Supt Beatty said: "Given the unprecedented challenges the PSNI is facing in relation to the coronavirus pandemic, it is hard to fathom there are individuals in our community who are intent on causing such disruption by exploiting this global emergency for their own ends."

First Minister Arlene Foster said given the coronavirus crisis, it was "utterly despicable" for people to be placing such devices in communities.

The incident was also condemned by Ulster Unionist assembly member Rosemary Barton.

"I urge the public to give their full support to the police as they seek to protect the community."