Man to appear in court on explosives charges
The 35-year-old was charged following searches of properties in the Shankill Road area of Belfast.
A man is set to appear in court in Belfast on Monday to face explosives charges.
It comes after searches of houses in the Shankill area of Belfast sparked a two-day security operation that saw a number of residents evacuated.
On Saturday evening police said a 35-year-old man has been charged with two counts of possessing explosives under suspicious circumstances, and possession of a prohibited weapon (discharge of electricity or noxious gas).
He is to appear before Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
As is usual procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.
Police said the charges follow searches at properties in both the Shankill Road and Edwina Street areas of north Belfast on Friday and Saturday.
“Following these searches a number of suspicious devices, along with other items were located and seized by officers for forensic examination,” a police spokesperson said.
“Local residents who were evacuated as a precaution have now been allowed to return home following the public safety operation conducted alongside ammunition technical officers (ATO).
“All cordons have now been lifted from the area, and we thank local residents for their patience as inquiries were conducted yesterday and into today.”
They added: “As we continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding this incident, we would appeal to anyone who may have information that could assist with inquiries to contact us on 101, quoting reference number 261 30/10/26.”