Residents return to homes after second security alert ends

A security alert in north Belfast has ended after police removed an object for further examination.

The suspicious object was discovered in Havana Court at around 10:15 GMT on Monday morning.

This was the second security alert in the area after a report of a pipe bomb being thrown at a house late on Sunday night.

Police said an item was then located under a car and experts made the device safe before removing it for further examination.

Following the discovery of the pipe bomb on Sunday, Insp Curry said if it had exploded under the car "so close to a petrol tank, the consequences could have been devastating".

Police thanked those who had to leave their homes and asked anyone with information that may assist the investigation to come forward.

Kevin McArevey, principal at Holy Cross Boys Primary School in Ardoyne, said people in the area were distressed by the two alerts.

"It's quite distressing, especially for people who have children at the school, they're unsure whether to come and get them," he said.

"I thought we were past these days, it's not helping anybody and causing massive distress to the surrounding area and local people."

He added that staff at the school were "anxious, annoyed, stressed".

"As a principal my job is making sure it is a safe and secure environment, it is stressful for me, I just want to make sure everyone gets home safe."