COMMUTERS heading to Dublin are facing further misery this morning over a bomb alert.

Part of the Belfast to Dublin railway line remains closed following a telephone bomb warning.

Police are investigating a telephone claim that a device has been left near the tracks.

The security alert centres on the Bells Row railway crossing at Antrim Road in Lurgan.

The alarm was raised on Wednesday evening around teatime when police received reports of suspicious activity in the area, and continued overnight.

A bus service between Lisburn and Moira is operating for train passengers.

Area command Chief Inspector Paul Reid said the railway line would remain closed until the policing operation is completed.

He said he was aware of “suspicious activity” in the area before the telephone bomb claim.

“Motorists in Lurgan are advised that the crossing at Bells Row will also remain closed for some time and they should avoid the Antrim Road and Cornakinnegar Road areas until further notice,” he said.

The alert is seen as a response from dissident republicans to a dispute inside Maghaberry prison involving its prisoners and jailhouse warders.