Police dealing with a major security alert in Newry have reduced the cordoned in place.
Monaghan Street remains closed this evening following the discovery of a suspected pipe bomb earlier today (Thursday).
The device, which appeared to have been left at a pay-and-display car park, resulted in the closure of many businesses in the area.
A police spokesperson said: “A reduced cordon is in place from the Lower Catherine Street junction to the Monaghan Street roundabout. The public is thanked for understanding during this public safety operation.”
Newry Sinn Fein councillor Aidan Mathers has said the culprits have, “nothing to offer the community, only chaos”.
He added: “This device left by criminals to deliberately cause chaos and to scare and intimidate. The local community and businesses have been greatly inconvenienced.
“We do not want this on our streets. Those engaged in these criminal acts motivated by either greed or to intimidate, need to cease their anti-community activities.”
