Suspected mortar component recovered in Castlewellan security alert

Q Newsdesk

A suspected mortar component has been recovered during a security operation in Castlewellan.

The discovery was made in the Priests Road area on Wednesday night.

Police say while it was not a viable device, the component could have been part of something more sinister.

It's now been taken away to be examined by forensics.

Cordons which were in place in the area yesterday have been lifted.

📸 This is the suspected component part of a mortar recovered in the Castlewellan area of County Down. Police say it could have been “part of something more sinister.” Dissidents suspected. PSNI calls those behind it “small group of people who are intent on using violence.” pic.twitter.com/sethEnuMIa

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) September 19, 2019

Detective Inspector Graham Orr from the PSNI’s Terrorism Investigation Unit said:

“I want to thank the community for their co-operation as we worked to make the scene safe."

“A number of cordons which had been in place have now been lifted."

“The component will now be subject to detailed forensic examination however our initial assessment is whilst this was not a viable device, it is clear that this is a component that could have been part of something more sinister."

“We know that the vast majority of people support our police officers and simply want to live in a peaceful society. We will continue to work with communities to disrupt the activities of the small group of people who are intent on using violence."

“If you know anything that could help us, please call 101, quoting reference 1860 of 18/09/19.”