Viable bomb causes Armagh evacuation

A suspicious device which caused the evacuation of several homes overnight in Armagh was a viable explosive.

A number of residents were forced to flee their homes in Alexander Avenue in the town in the early hours of this morning as Army bomb experts made the area safe.

The security alert centred on the discovery of a suspicious object at a house in the neighbourhood at around 4am.

A local community centre was opened to provide temporary shelter for the residents.

The “small viable device” has been removed for further examination and all residents have been allowed back to their homes, say police.

They are appealing for anyone who noticed suspicious activity in the area or who has any information to contact them.