Bomb alerts in west Belfast
A number of devices have been found in a series of bomb alerts in the Upper Springfield area of west Belfast, police have said.
Bomb disposal experts are at the scenes of the alerts after devices were found at homes in the Ballymurphy road, Whitecliff parade and New Barnsley Park areas.
Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams has said that up to 11 pipe bombs or suspicious devices were left in the area at around 2 pm on Thursday, causing massive disruption.
It is understood that up to ten streets have been sealed off and families had to be evacuated from their homes.
Mr Adams has condemned the incidents as “reckless and irresponsible”.
“There can be no justification by anyone for this type of action.
“The Upper Springfield community, which has suffered much over the years, has been thrown into chaos by the actions of a small number of unrepresentative people masquerading as republicans,” he said.
“This activity in the heart of a republican community, as republicans face into Easter – a time when we remember our patriot dead – is especially offensive,” he added.
