Anger as hoax bomb alert brings festive season disruption to Strabane
Thursday, 5 January 2012
A police cordon on Bridge Street, Strabane, which was closed off for four hours on Thursday afternoon during a bomb alert. A suspect device found at a local tyre depot on the street was later confirmed to be an ‘elaborate hoax’.
Residents advised to evacuate homes.
TRAFFIC through Strabane ground to a halt on Thursday as police cordoned off a main artery amid a bomb alert, which was later declared an elaborate hoax.
Up to 40 residents of Bridge Street were advised to evacuate or move to the rear of their homes, while festive season shoppers were diverted on to Strabane's clogged bypass.
The alert centred around local tyre depot, DC Tyres, where a pipe-like device was found on Thursday morning. The street was cordoned off for four hours, forcing the tyre depot and nearby businesses to close.
Traders across the town spoke of their frustration as news of the bomb hoax spread, on one of the busiest shopping days of the year.
Police also warned staff at the nearby supported housing unit, Mulvey House, that they might have to evacuate its 33 elderly residents. That did not transpire, but Paul Taylor, the facility's scheme manager, said the scare was a headache for residents, who are aged between 60 and 80.
“The residents here were all disgusted," Mr Taylor said. "They were all wondering who put it there and why they were doing it."
Four hours after the alert started, it was declared an elaborate hoax. Strabane's PSNI area commander, Chief Inspector Andy Lemon, said they found "a pipe with nails taped to it".
“It would never have gone off; it was not a viable device," Chief Inspector Lemon said.
“It was just a hoax. But we spoke to 30 or 40 people who were all evacuated or told to stay at the back of their premises. Part of Bridge Street was closed - one of the main thoroughfares of Strabane being blocked off for four hours.
“Businesses lost four hours of work. I came in through the bypass and it was bumper to bumper.
“It was just nonsense," he added. "The town needs trade and to be economically viable. But this was another instance where people hear it's another bomb alert in Strabane."
A motive for the incident remains unclear.
“A full investigation will take place, but at the moment we are keeping an open mind as to the reasons for it," Chief Inspector Lemon said. "We are looking at all avenues. I would appeal for anyone who has any information to contact us."
Local SDLP councillor, Eugene McMenamin, said the incident defied sense.
“I do not know why people do these things because it cases disruption, especially at this time of year when people have relatives back home," he said.
“The town has been relatively quiet lately and I sincerely hope 2012 will not be like this."
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