Viable device found during Newry security alert

A "crude yet viable device" has been found during a security alert in Newry.

Police said the alert in the Monaghan Street area of the city has ended.

A suspicious object was located on Thursday morning after a report at about 08:20 BST.

Army ammunition technical officers carried out a controlled explosion. Police said the object was "declared as a viable suspected pipe bomb" and had been removed for "further forensic examination".

Insp Gibson of the Police Service of Northern Ireland said the alert on "one of Newry’s busiest streets has caused major disruption to local businesses and resulted in some people being evacuated from their homes today as we conducted this public safety operation".

“We would like to thank them for their understanding and patience as we conducted our investigations."