Divis Tower security alert ends and items seized

A security alert at Divis Tower in west Belfast, during which a number of residents were evacuated, has now ended with a number of items being removed from the scene.

Army Technical Officers (ATO) entered the flats on Thursday following the discovery of a number of suspicious objects.

The alert followed the arrest of a 61-year-old man by detectives investigating the attempted murder of a taxi driver in west Belfast earlier this year.

Sean O'Reilly, 49, was shot twice as he sat inside his taxi in the Bell Steel Manor area on 23 February.

The man who was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder has since been released on bail, the police have said.

Police said that items seized at Divis Tower have been taken away for further examination.

A vehicle was also taken from the scene for forensic analysis.

Officers thanked local residents who had to leave their homes for a time on Thursday and anyone affected by a number of road closures during the incident.

Speaking earlier, Sinn Féin MP for Belfast West Paul Maskey said the evacuation had caused "disruption to residents, particularly the elderly who have been forced to leave their homes".