Van Alert Closes Roads In Keady

A security alert is under way outside a police station in Keady, Co Armagh.

The alert began on Friday morning after a suspicious vehicle was abandoned in Davis Street, close to the station.

Earlier today, SDLP Mayor of Armagh Thomas O'Hanlon said the van has been abandoned in the middle of the road outside the police station.

He also questioned the police response to the incident, and said the PSNI had known about the incident since before dawn on Friday but "still have not cordoned off the area three hours later".

However, a police spokesperson has now said the area has since been cordoned off and that at 10am, the public were being advised to avoid the area.

But Mr O'Hanlon criticsed their response: "This van has been abandoned outside the PSNI station at Keady and I believe the police have known about the incident since 6.25am this morning but had yet to cordon off the area by 9.25am.

"This junction is a busy cross-border route and it is not acceptable that cars are driving past what is a potential security risk. I also believe that a car has been found burnt out at Derrynoose which may be linked to this incident," he fumed.

(BMcC/GK)