Security alert at East Belfast GAA club ended after hoax bomb call

By Connor Stringer

A security alert at East Belfast GAA club has ended after an anonymous call said a number of explosive devices had been left at the team's playing fields.

Police received the tip-off last night and officers closed the site at Church Road in Castlereagh until a full search was carried out.

Nothing untoward was found but the club says it's members were training on the pitch at the time when the call was made.

Naomi Long condemned the hoax

A Statement from the PSNI read: "Officers have conducted a search of the playing fields at Church Road in Castlereagh and nothing untoward has been found.

"Police have now left the scene and the facility has re-opened.

The club wishes to advise members of an incident that occurred during training last night. It is the club’s understanding that, during the course of training, the police received a call that a package had been left somewhere in the vicinity of the playing fields upon which our

— EastBelfastGAA (@EastBelfastGAA) August 6, 2020

"Enquiries into the incident are ongoing and anyone with information which could assist with the investigation is asked to contact police at Strandtown on 101 quoting reference number 1693 05/08/20."

The playing fields where the club trains are owned and operated by Belfast City Council.

"A Belfast City Council spokesperson said: “Henry Jones playing fields were closed to the public yesterday evening, Wednesday 6 August, on advice from the PSNI. The playing fields have now reopened.”

Alliance Lisnasharragh Councillor said those behind the alert are only interested in 'destruction'.

BREAKING: A security alert has ended at the East Belfast GAA club, after an anonymous call said a number of explosive devices had been left at their playing fields. Police received the tip-off last night and a full search of the site at Church Road has found nothing untoward. pic.twitter.com/lfS8YCcD37

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) August 6, 2020

He said: “The people behind this alert are an absolute disgrace and do not represent East Belfast,” said Councillor Hanvey.

“East Belfast GAA has received plaudits from right across the community, and rightly so, in their attempt to help build a better future in East Belfast by bringing people together via sport, so they can live, work and play together in peace.

“Those behind security alerts such as these are clearly not interested in something so positive but rather only division and destruction. They are unwanted in East Belfast or anywhere else, and I urge anyone with information on them to contact police with it immediately.”

News that a new club would be set up in East Belfast sparked a huge response in the area in June.

Those behind the bomb threat and intimidation of @EastBelfastGAA are enemies of co-operation, of diversity & of a better future.

Their only contribution to our society is to seek to destroy & cause fear.

We must all stand strong together against them. pic.twitter.com/UtyQNyJBEW

— John Finucane MP (@johnfinucane) August 6, 2020

SDLP Lisnasharragh Councillor Séamas de Faoite condemned those responsible for an ongoing security alert at playing fields used by the East Belfast GAA.

Cllr de Faoite said: "Since late yesterday evening I have been liaising between East Belfast GAA, the PSNI and Council Officials to support players who were forced to leave Henry Jones playing fields due to a security alert.

“This threat is an appalling attempt to intimidate East Belfast GAA, who have brought people from across our community together in an appreciation of their sporting code.

“No team should feel threatened by those who seek to deny that the GAA can be just as much a part of the character and spirit of East Belfast as any other sport.

“I will continue to work with the club and the PSNI to do everything we can to assure the safety of players and supporters.”

Any information can  be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.