Bridgend businesses evacuated because of bomb scare

The N13 has been closed near Bridgend this evening due to a security alert.
The Coshquin border crossing has been closed after a white Transit van was hijacked by four masked men on the Coshquin Road in Derry at around 7.30pm this (Sun) evening.
The van was found abandoned near Burnfoot.
The scene was been cordoned off, a number of buildings evacuated and an army bomb disposal team called.
Motorists are being diverted via the Bridgend/Muff Road.
The incident has been condemned by local Cllr Padraig Mac Lochlainn and Senator Cecelia Keavney.
Senator Keavney said “The evacuation of Bridgend last night due to the presence of an abandoned
van that had been reportedly hijacked at gun point in Derry has led to
Senator Cecilia Keaveney asking for more cooperation on a North West basis
in relation to practical things such as the bomb squad.
“The first thing to say is that this ongoing activity must be condemned.
Hijacking vehicles and leaving them as potential bombs is totally
unacceptable to any democracy, including ours!
Many people were evacuated and left for hours wondering what would happen
to them and their property. This is needless stress for old and young
alike.
A number of months ago I had called on the Minister to reinstate the bomb
squad facility in Finner. I was told that the level of activity was lower
in our area than in other places and so Athlone was a more central base for
them. It may well be time to look at North West Cooperation in relation to
this resource.