BOMB PROBE TEENAGER IS ARRESTED

The 17 and 18-year-old students were arrested at the Southern Regional College's Portadown campus on January 15 but released two days later pending a report to the Public Prosecution Service.

The teenagers were taken for questioning over the weekend to Antrim Serious Crime Suite after reports that extreme Islamic websites had been viewed at a location off campus.

A spokesperson for the college in Portadown which the males attend, said they did not have to evacuate the school which co-operated fully with police.

websites

Items which could be used to make a bomb were reportedly found in one of the two boys' bedrooms, and the websites viewed contain detailed instructions on how to make a bomb.

The arrests are not thought to be connected to either dissident republican or loyalist paramilitaries.

A PSNI spokesperson said, "Two males were arrested in relation to an incident in the Portadown area on Friday.

"They were taken for questioning at the Antrim Serious Crime Suite.

"A number of items were recovered and have been taken away for further examination.

"The males were released on Sunday pending a report to the PPS."

There are no further details at this stage.

Banbridge councillor Jim McElroy was quick to praise the police for their prompt actions in the matter.

"It is encouraging to see that the police appeared to have been well informed in this case and were able to move quickly," said Mr McElroy.

"Cases like this show the real need for tighter control of the internet."