East Belfast GAA: What sparked the 8 'hoaxes' targeting park where team trains

Police figures show there has been an escalation in hoaxes behind a total of eight 'security alerts' at the East Belfast park where the local GAA club trains.

Since May this year, the park has been cordoned off five times to allow police to tackle incidents which could have posed a threat to the public.

We spoke with parents, workers and dog walkers hit by two security alerts in the area last week, with everyone telling Belfast Live the ongoing disruption is an ‘unwanted nuisance’.

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Now police have provided a breakdown of what was behind every incident at the park since East Belfast GAA started using the grounds in 2020, with five devices, a bomb threat and letter all found to be hoaxes.

Officers say they "do not have pictures available" of the devices behind these incidents but that they are "exploring a number of lines enquiry and we are keeping an open mind at this time".

Area Commander for East Belfast, Chief Inspector Louise Dunne, said: "Local officers work closely with members of the local community and partner agencies to tackle issues in the area.

"A multi-agency meeting was recently held with Police, GAA and other agencies to work together to find solutions to this matter. Public safety will always be our priority and we appreciate these alerts cause considerable inconvenience, especially to those who use these facilities. The continued support shown by the local community as officers conducted public safety operations in the area is extremely encouraging. We continue to engage with relevant stakeholders to work together to find solutions to these matters.

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"The true victim of these incidents are the young people and their parents who use these playing fields and the negative impact these alerts have on the local community. I would ask anyone with any information in relation to our ongoing investigations related to incidents linked to the playing fields, to report any concerns to us to allow us to take action.

"A report can be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ ”

Hoax incidents at Henry Jones Park:

• 05/8/2020 - Hoax device

• 22/5/2023 - Hoax bomb threat call

• 05/9/2023 - Hoax device

• 26/5/2024 - Hoax device

• 05/8/2024 - Hoax letter

• 16/8/2024 - Hoax device

• 17/9/2024 - Nothing untoward

• 18/9/2024 - Hoax device

We asked for a breakdown of the time and costs, police have incurred throughout the campaign, and were advised we would have to submit a Freedom of Information request.

A 58-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a number of offences, including possessing and making explosives in suspicious circumstances in relation to reported incidents in the area, in August 2020. He is awaiting trial in relation to the allegations.

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