24/03/2010

Border Rail Alert 'Hoax'

Police in the North investigating the weekend security alert and gun attack close to the railway line near Newry have removed a number of suspect items.

The devices have since been declared an elaborate hoax. According to PSNI Chief Inspector Sam Cordner, Area Commander: "Clearly the placing of these items on the railway line was a deliberate act planned to terrorise the local community and disrupt cross border travel.

"We are appealing for anyone with information regarding the terrorist criminals who brought about this disruption to contact us at Newry police station," he said, also noting that he is conducting an investigation into the attempted murder of police officers involved in the clearance operation on the railway line on Saturday night.

"I again appeal to anyone with information regarding this reckless attack to contact us," he said, noting that anyone with information regarding the alert or the gun attack on police officers is asked to contact Police at Newry on 0845 600 8000.

Alternatively information can be passed anonymously to the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

He was appealing after shots were fired at officers investigating the alert during Saturday night after it caused disruption and the cancellation of some train services.

On Tuesday night, Translink said the railway line had reopened and the Enterprise service between Belfast and Dublin was now "running as normal".

(BMcC)

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