Security alert, Strabane
10 Oct 2009
A overnight security alert at Strabane Courthouse has been declared a hoax.
Shortly before 11pm on Friday 9 October a taxi driver arrived at a call in Townsend Street when he was approached by four masked man. Two of the men are believed to have been armed with handguns. The men placed an unknown object in the boot of the taxi, told the driver it was a bomb and ordered him to drive to the Courthouse.
Army Technical Officers were called to examine the Volkswagen Passat car. Around twenty homes and two pubs were evacuated because of the alert. Residents have since been allowed to return to their homes.
A number of petrol bombs were also thrown at a police patrol in Meetinghouse Street shortly after 1.30am, there are no reports of injuries. Police also received reports of a group of masked youths in the Carlton Drive area.
Police are appealing for anyone who may have noticed any suspicious activity in the Townsend Street area of Strabane between 10.30pm and 11.00pm on Friday night to contact them on 0845 600 8000. Anonymous information can also be passed to the Crimestoppers charity 0800 555 111.
