Bishops Brae, Downpatrick is closed in both directions from Vianstown Road to the junction with Ballynoe Road following the discovery of a suspicious object.
A number of homes have been evacuated as a precaution.xa0ATO (Army Technical Officers) were tasked to the scene around 12.30pm.
At around 1.30pm this afternoon two bomb disposal vehicles drove through Downpatrick with sirens blaring through Church Street, up Irish Street and at towards Ballymote area. The suspicious package is located in the vicinity of the top of steep hill beside Bishops Brae leading down to the Vianstown Road.
Cars can drive towards Ballynoe and the entrance to the Bishops Brae estate is clear. The Bishops Brae hill and the adjoining Vianstown Road is for the moment blocked.
There are no further details at this stage.
Down News will update when possible.
Update: at 2.10pm there was a bang heard in the area as the ATO investigate the device. Still no word from the police if the road is clear.
[caption id="attachment_53930" align="aligncenter" width="540"]
Homes have been evacuated as a precaution in the Bishops Brae area of Downpatrick following a suspicious package alert. The bomb squad are at the scene.[/caption]
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