The suspected device was found at the Henry Jones playing fields on Church Road this morning (5 September) which are regularly used by the East Belfast GAA. The road was closed for a period of time in the morning before being reopened later, and a primary school and two nurseries had to close as a result.

It’s the second security alert in the area this year. The alert has since ended and the device confirmed by PSNI to be an “elaborate hoax.”

Mr McReynolds has said: “This is an incredibly concerning incident in what is now clearly becoming a campaign of targeted intimidation, with the repeated incidents we’re seeing occur specifically in this area.

“That children are being prevented from attending school, some even for the very first time today, because of such a threat to their safety is a disgrace and those responsible need to take a long, hard look in the mirror at the harm they are causing and what they’re trying to achieve.

“In reality, they stand for nothing and have achieved nothing more than causing disruption and distress to the lives of those in the local community. They do not speak for the people of Castlereagh or East Belfast in general.

“East Belfast GAA make a significant amount of positive outreach both in East Belfast and beyond, and stand for inclusiveness and the unifying power of sport. I’d urge anyone with any information relevant to finding those responsible to contact the police via 101, or report it anonymously via Crimestoppers.”