Alliance Condemns Those Behind Banbridge Pipe Bomb

A viable pipe bomb-type device discovered on Lenaderg Road in Banbridge has been strongly condemned by Alliance Councillor Joy Ferguson.

Police were called to the scene in the early hours of Monday morning (14 April) following a report of a suspicious object.

Officers subsequently located the device, which has since been removed and taken away for further examination by specialist units.

Councillor Ferguson expressed her outrage at the incident: "Those behind the planting of this device show no regard to human life, and their actions must be robustly condemned. The device found could have caused significant damage to the area and posed a serious threat to life, and I am thankful this incident did not result in any injuries."

She added that the actions of those responsible were "clearly intended to instil fear and cause disruption" and emphasised that such behaviour "does not reflect the community as a whole, which takes no part in such heinous behaviour."

Councillor Ferguson also commended the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) for their swift response to the incident. "I am grateful for the swift and effective action by the PSNI in dealing with this incident," she said.

The PSNI has launched an appeal for information regarding the incident. Councillor Ferguson echoed this appeal, urging anyone with any details that could assist the investigation to come forward. "The police are appealing for information, and I would urge anyone with any information to come forward and contact them on 101, quoting reference number 48 14/04/25," she concluded.

Tyrone Haulage Firm Fined £9,000 For Tachograph Offences

A goods vehicle operator, Barony Services Ltd of Sixmilecross, County Tyrone, has been fined a total of £9,000 at Dungannon Magistrates Court for a series of tachograph and drivers’ hours offences. The company, located at 87 Devesky Road, was fined £1,000 for each of the nine offences at a hearing on Monday. The charges arose from an incident on 29 May 2024, when a heavy goods vehicle operated by Barony Services Ltd was stopped by Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) enforcement officers on the A45 Granville Road in Dungannon.

A subsequent examination of the vehicle’s digital tachograph revealed several breaches of regulations. The court heard that the company had failed to download the driver’s digital card within the legally mandated 28-day period. In addition, the vehicle's tachograph calibration was found to have expired. Furthermore, the company was found to have caused or permitted the vehicle to be driven on seven separate occasions without the driver using their required driver's card.

In addition to the fines totalling £9,000, Barony Services Ltd was also ordered by the court to pay an offender levy of £15.

Police Investigate Ballymoney Burglary and Appeal for Witnesses

Police are appealing for information and witnesses following a report of a burglary at a property in the Semicock Road area of Ballymoney.

The incident was reported to police at approximately 11.20pm on Saturday, 12th April. It is believed that the house was entered at some point between 1:30pm and 10.00pm on the same day, and a number of rooms inside were ransacked. Valuables were also reported stolen from the property.

Detective Inspector Hanbidge urged anyone who may have been in the Semicock Road area of Ballymoney on Saturday between 1:30pm and 10:00pm and noticed any suspicious activity to come forward.

"We would appeal to anyone who was in the area on Saturday between 1.30pm and 10pm and noticed anything suspicious to make contact with us on 101, quoting reference 1952 of 12/04/25," said Detective Inspector Hanbidge.

Police are particularly interested in hearing from anyone who may have captured relevant footage during these times. "We would also be especially keen to hear from anyone who may have dash-cam, CCTV or mobile footage of the areas during these times that we could review," added Detective Inspector Hanbidge.

Alternatively, you can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/

You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org/