A bomb alert in Newry caused by a device left in a Santander branch in the city's Marcus Square has ended.

It began after masked men entered the bank, dropped a bag and issued a 45-minute warning on Monday morning.

The area is now returning to normal after the Army made the viable device safe with a call from the PSNI for information also being issued to help aid their investigation.

Earlier, the Market Square area of Newry had been evacuated during the security alert.

The Mall was closed and police also cleared Hill Street.

Marcus Square, Needham Bridge and Hill Street in the city were also closed and parts of Water Street and Trevor Hill cordoned off too.

It looked like a copycat incident after a bomb thrown by masked men exploded in a Santander bank in Londonderry in May - causing extensive damage - but no injuries.

That branch had only recently reopened for business after being repaired.

Local reports this morning indicated that two masked men entered the bank premises in Hill Street in the border city and left a holdall.

One man, who was carrying the bag, issued a 45-minute warning.

Appealing for information on the Newry bomb, the Area Commander for Newry and Mourne, Ch Insp Davy Beck, said: "This was a viable device which was capable of causing death, serious injury and substantial damage to the area.

"I would place on record my gratitude to the Army Technical Officer (ATO) and his team for their actions which clearly prevented the detonation of this device.

"Newry city centre is returning to normal at this point however a thorough investigation into the attack has been initiated," he continued.

"I would appeal to the community for information about the people who conducted this cowardly attack on the people of Newry & Mourne."

Co Antrim On Alert

Elsewhere, a separate security alert is continuing in Ballymoney after the discovery of a suspicious package in the town.

The object was found on Ozone Avenue in the town on Monday morning.

Army bomb experts are currently at the scene and a number of residents have been evacuated from their homes.

Ozone Avenue and Meeting House Street have been closed.

The Alliance Justice Spokesperson, Stewart Dickson MLA, has condemned the incidents in Newry and Ballymoney today.

"Despicable incidents like these cause massive disruption to the community and they can have a very negative impact on business and the economy in the areas affected.

"People are sick of this type of activity. We are building a peaceful future - people should be able to live free from fear and incidents of this nature have no place in our society.

"Northern Ireland is moving towards a brighter future and I am appalled that anyone could bring themselves to carry out activity like that seen in Newry today.

"I would appeal to anyone with information on these incidents to contact police immediately," he concluded.

(BMcC/GK)