Residents return home as Craigavon security alerts end

The public had been asked to avoid the Tullygally Road

A second overnight security alert in Craigavon, County Armagh, sparked after an object was thrown at a police car, has ended.

The alert was declared in the early hours of Tuesday morning in Aldervale, and followed a previous alert in the Pinebank area of the town.

A number of residents had to spend the night in a GAA club after their homes were evacuated.

Police said a public safety operation implemented following the alerts has now ended and residents have been able to return to their homes.

A man was arrested and later released on bail to allow for further enquiries, police said.

The security alert in the Pinebank area was declared on Monday evening after a member of the public discovered suspicious items.

Police said a number of items, including a quantity of ammunition had been recovered from the Pinebank area and will now undergo forensic examination.

Further searches were carried out in the area on Tuesday, police added, during which nothing further was found.

"We appreciate the patience and understanding shown by the community and their representatives as we undertook this operation," a PSNI spokesperson added.

Éire Óg chairman Fergal Connolly said more than 20 people spent the night at the club

Éire Óg chairman Fergal Connolly said about a dozen families and more than 20 people in total spent the night there.

"A number of residents also slept in their cars and came in here to use the toilets," he said.

"There were around a dozen volunteers here as well supporting with blankets, food, tea and coffee, snacks and the Golden Crust bakery in Lurgan provided food for breakfast."

Sinn Féin councillor Catherine Nelson said people were "genuinely frightened"

Sinn Féin councillor Catherine Nelson said people had wanted to be allowed to return home.

"Last night people were incredibly distressed, including young people who were out and about and who were very frightened about getting home, people who were evacuated in the dead of night, in the dark not knowing for how long this will go on," she said.

Nelson praised the community who gathered to provide support.

"The spirit of Craigavon, the real face of Craigavon is the actions of those who have reacted to this in this manner. Those who are involved who are responsible – they've no place in this community," she said.

"People were genuinely frightened, this isn't the norm. There's children who went to school this morning with no uniform, no breakfast, haven't slept in a bed last night, that's not wanted."