Crude bomb found at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Glengormley

A MAN is to appear at Belfast Magistrates Court on Thursday charged in connection wtih a viable explosive found in Newtownabbey.

The 24-year-old was detained by officers from the PSNI’s Serious Crime Branch after the device was discovered in the Doagh Road area in the early hours of Monday, March 4.

The accused also faces six counts of communicating a hoax bomb call.

This relates to a series of security alerts in the Co Antrim town between Friday, February 15 and and Sunday, March 3.

He is also accused of assault on police.

Security alerts have badly affected Newtownabbey in recent weeks with hoax devices being left at business premises, politicians’ homes.

Two Catholic Churches, including St Mary’s On The Hill, have been targeted with crude but viable pipe bombs.