Police have confirmed they are back at the scene of a new security alert at the playing fields on Church Road, the home of East Belfast GAA.
A previous security alert at the grounds ended only this morning.
In another update a PSNI spokesperson said: “Police are currently at the scene of a security alert following the discovery of a suspicious object at playing fields in the Church Road area of east Belfast.
“Church Road has been closed between Manse Road and Ballygowan Road. Access to schools in the area from Manse Road. Members of the public are advised to avoid the area at this time. Further updates will be issued in due course.”
The previous alert was declared to be “nothing untoward”.
In an earlier statement, police said: “Police received a report at around 4:05pm on Tuesday 17th September, of a suspicious object located at playing fields in the area. Officers attended alongside ATO, and the object, which has been declared as nothing untoward, has been removed.
“The playing fields and a number of roads were closed. Officers have now left the scene, the roads have fully re-opened and police would like to thank the local community for their understanding.
“Enquiries are continuing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and anyone with any information is asked to contact Police on 101, quoting reference number 1158 17/09/24.
“A report can also be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/ .”
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A local councillor earlier described a “concerted campaign” against the club as “utterly depressing” – with numerous security alerts since it was formed in 2020.
Green Party councillor Brian Smyth said it’s “utterly depressing” that the club is being targeted by a person or group of people.
“It’s having a massive impact on the area,” he said, “there’s an integrated school and an integrated nursery and people that live around there. It is hugely disruptive.
“The vast majority of people in Belfast and east Belfast want nothing to do with those who are responsible.”
He explained that the council is planning on increasing security measures by installing CCTV cameras and increased lighting.
“I’m hopeful that when it happens it will put an end to this.
“The club has every right to stay there, this is up at Henry Jones and out of the way, not slap bang in the middle of the Newtownards Road. It’s literally at the top of a very windy hill in the Castlereagh area.
“A lot of people back the club and the CCTV is planned for this month so we hope it will now end it for good.”
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey also strongly condemned the latest “appalling” security alert.
“I am appalled at yet another disgraceful security alert at Henry Jones Playing Fields, which are used by East Belfast GAA,” the South Belfast MLA said.
“Every one of these appalling incidents are an attack on the entire community, and are not welcome in today’s modern, inclusive Belfast.
“Gaelic Games is flourishing in all corners of our city and at every level of society, we will not allow a minority to drag us back and bring our community down.
“I would call on all community and political leaders to make it clear that there is absolutely no place for this kind of behaviour.”
News Catch Up – Tuesday 17th September