Belfast And Derry Face New Security Alerts

There's a bomb alert underway in west Belfast, according to the PSNI, who said that investigations are being carried out in the Navan Green area of Andersonstown this afternoon.

The ongoing disruption in the Andersonstown area following the abandonment of a van has been roundly condemned by a local politician.

West Belfast Sinn Fein candidate, Paul Maskey has slammed those responsible: "They have caused this community undue stress and disruption. Familes have had to be moved from their homes as a result.

"This is also only yards from a local secondary school where school children and parents will be coming and going at the end of the school day," he fumed.

"Whoever is responsible has shown absolute disregard for the local community.

"As we have seen over the past week or so, where devices or vehicles have been abandoned it is the nationalist community that has faced major disruption.

"People are growing sick and tired of these actions. There is no support whatsoever for them and the wider community just want to see an end, once and for all, to this disruption."

There are few further details at present, other than the fact that Army bomb experts are attending the scene and that at least 20 homes have been evacuated.

The police have also closed Slievegallion Drive at its junction with Binion Way, as well as Edenmore Drive at Glassmullan Gardens.

There are believed to be gas cylinders in the suspect van.

The news comes just hours after another bomb alert got under way in Londonderry - in the car park where a separate 50kg bomb was found on Sunday.

A motorist reported the latest suspect device to a car park attendant, who alerted the police.

The area on Bishop Street between Bishop's Gate and Society Street has been cordoned off.

A section of the city walls has also been cordoned off.

Buildings in the area, including the courthouse, are being evacuated and Court proceedings have been suspended until next week.

The earlier bomb was found in a vehicle abandoned outside Bishop Street courthouse after several controlled explosions were carried out.

Elderly residents from a local fold and choirboys, some as young as seven, in the nearby St Columb's Cathedral were evacuated following a telephone bomb warning on Sunday evening.

Roslea

Meanwhile, the Fermanagh security alert which began on Thursday morning is continuing today.

It followed the discovery of a suspicious object on the Dernawilt Road, Roslea, shortly after 8am on Thurdsday with the police investigation set to take some time. The B36 between Roslea and Lisnaskea has been closed due to the ongoing alert.

Police are advising local people to be wary of any other unusual or suspicious objects in the area.

See: 'Substantial' Bomb Found In Londonderry

(JG/GK)