PSNI thank public 'for their patience' after 'suspicious object' is declared an 'elaborate hoax' - roads in Belfast had been closed for hours

The alert started after police were notified around 9.45am, that "a suspicious object resembling a pipe bomb-type device had been discovered close to a property in the Clonard Gardens area of the city".

Sergeant McKinley said: "Officers attended along with ATO.

“The object, which has been taken away for further examination, has been declared a hoax.

"And the road, which was temporarily closed, has now re-opened".

He added: "We’re grateful to local people, many of whom have had their Sunday disrupted, for their patience as we worked to make the area safe.

“We would also take this opportunity to appeal to anyone with information, or who noticed any suspicious activity in the area, to contact us on 101 quoting reference number 483 of 17/05/20.”

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