Drivers Risk Newry 'Bomb Run'

Motorists are dicing with death on the Irish border today.

There are two new security alerts underway this morning, just hours after Army bomb experts carried out a controlled explosion on a suspect device found in Co Londonderry on Thursday morning.

Yesterday, the suspect item was seen on the Gortmacrane Road in Kilrea and the device was later found to be a deliberate hoax.

Overnight, the main Belfast to Dublin road - the A1 at Newry - has been closed due to a suspicious vehicle that has been found at an underpass.

And while police had said the vehicle was "cordoned off", some motorists have been able to get too close for safety.

After BBC NI reports from the scene at 9am this morning that diverted traffic was returning to the affected stretch of road, the PSNI have warned motorists ignoring or moving traffic cones close to the scene of the Newry security alert that they have a "blatant disregard" for people's safety.

In Dublin, a Garda statement said: "There is a security alert being dealt with by the PSNI outside Newry and Gardai are diverting traffic off the M1 Northbound at Exit 18, diversions are in place.

"There are similar diversion southbound north of Newry. This operation will continue until further notice."

The border security alert began shortly before 11pm on Thursday after two bomb warnings were received by the Daisy Hill Hospital and a charity.

The railway line between Newry and Dundalk has also been closed because of the ongoing security alert.

Passengers are being transported by bus between these stations.

Meanwhile, there are also reports of a suspect device at Francis Street, Lurgan - where there was violence earlier in the week when the PSNI responded to similar alerts and were attacked by rioting mobs of youths.

(BMcC/GK)