A security alert at East Belfast GAA has ended.
Just before 10.25am on Monday morning a claim was made to an elected representative that a number of devices had been left in the vicinity of playing fields in the Church Road area of the city.
During the security alert two nearby roads were closed and premises, including a nursery and a school which was hosting a summer scheme, were evacuated.
A police spokesperson said, “A thorough search of the area has been conducted and, thankfully, nothing untoward has been found.
“We would like to thank the public for their patience and cooperation as searches were carried out.
“We appreciate this has caused considerable inconvenience, particularly to the children and their parents, but public safety is our priority.”
A local SDLP councillor urged an end to repeated attacks targeting the club.
Councillor Séamas de Faoite said: “The establishment of East Belfast GAA has been welcomed by the vast majority of the local community in the area, but still a narrow minded and backwards element continue to target this club for having the temerity to take part in gaelic games.
“This is the latest in a long line of attacks on their playing facilities, but I know this club won’t be intimidated.
“To the people behind these attacks I say loudly and clearly that they will not succeed in ruining something positive or in creating further division in the community.
“People of all ages and from diverse backgrounds come to this club to engage in a sport that brings people together, in stark contrast to those who wish to drive people apart.
“Council is currently working on bringing CCTV to this site so that those who regularly target these facilities can be held accountable. We need to see an end to these attacks once and for all and I would urge those responsible to stop now or face the consequences.
“It’s deeply disheartening after a dark few days for our city that we are seeing further incidents of hate and I would call on those with influence to put a stop to these scenes before any more harm is done.”
Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey has also condemned those responsible for an ongoing security alert.
“The ongoing security alert is the latest reprehensible attempt to intimidate people from playing sport,” the South Belfast MLA said.
“Children and adults should be able to play and enjoy sport without fear of intimidation.
“The whole community must stand together against this despicable behaviour and those responsible must be held fully accountable by the law.”
It marks the latest incident targeting the club over recent years since it was founded back in 2020.
The last incident in May saw an alert at the ground eventually declared an elaborate hoax and condemned right across the political spectrum.
In August last year, police launched a hate crime probe after the club’s nets were set on fire and destroyed.
Hoax bomb alerts in September and May 2023 forced officials to close the pitches for a period of time to allow Army bomb experts to examine the scene on both occasions.