Police arrest man after bomb is found in Strabane, Co Tyrone

Police have confirmed that a bomb was found after a security alert in Northern Ireland. The improvised explosive device (IED) was discovered in Strabane, County Tyrone.

During the alert on Saturday morning, in the built-up, residential Church View area of the border town, residents were evacuated from their homes as army bomb experts investigated.

A man was arrested under the Terrorism Act in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Political representatives condemned the alert, in which pensioners were forced to leave their homes. Órfhlaith Begley, the local Sinn Féin MP, said: “This security alert in the Church View area of Strabane has brought nothing but disruption to the local community.

“Those behind this alert have nothing to offer the people of Strabane and have no support. These actions need to end immediately.”

Daniel McCrossan, West Tyrone’s Social Democratic and Labour party MLA (member of the legislative assembly), branded the alert a disgrace as it happened on Saturday.

“Residents are being absolutely tortured by this,” he said. “Those behind this constant disruption have nothing to offer people here. I have spoken to police today and hope that local people can be allowed back to their homes as quickly as possible as the area is made safe.”

Residents have since been allowed back into their homes and the security alert is now over.