'Elaborate' hoax causes chaos

The Circular Road area was cordoned off after a member of the public found a suspicious object shortly before 8.00am.

Chief Inspector Ryan Henderson, the area commander, said the “elaborate” ploy had caused a great deal of inconvenience to police, residents and motorists.

“This object was an elaborate hoax,” he said. “It was meant to be taken as a real device and when an object of this nature is found, we must treat it as real until we can establish otherwise.”

Mr Henderson added: “Unfortunately, that often leads to disruption of the everyday lives of local people. It was almost three-and-a-half hours before the object was cleared and the blame for the disruption must lie squarely with those who left the device in the area.

“I would ask people in Larne to help us identify and bring before the courts those who left the device. Anyone who saw or heard anything unusual in the Circular Road or Hope Street areas on Monday morning or late on Sunday night is asked to contact the CID in Larne. The number to call is 0845 600 8000. Alternatively, information can be given to the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Sinn Fein spokesman in East Antrim, Oliver McMullan, condemned those responsible for the hoax and said they should “go away”.

He added: “There is no place in modern society or politics for this sort of behaviour. The election last week demonstrated that there is no support for hardliners of any kind.”

Mr McMullan said the perpetrators should either “go away, or articulate their views and engage in meaningful discussion”. He added: “If they wish, they can talk to me and let’s see if there is a willingness on their part to put forward their case through dialogue.”