'Elaborate hoax' bomb at Wattlebridge

A hoax bomb alert at an Orange hall in Co Fermanagh at the weekend has been widely condemned, with detectives investigating the alert now appealing for witnesses. 

The suspect device was discovered by a lodge member at the front door of Wattlebridge Orange hall, close to the Cavan border, on Friday afternoon, prompting a security alert that lasted into early Saturday afternoon.
The road was closed between Cavan Road and McCaffrey’s garage with motorists urged to seek an alternative route.
No evacuations were made and army bomb experts examined the item before declaring it to be an elaborate hoax.
Detective Sergeant Keith Monaghan, who is leading the investigation said the operation lasted for most of Saturday and caused disruption to not only to nearby residents but also motorists attempting use the busy main Cavan Road on this busy Bank Holiday weekend.
The hoax device was placed approximately six feet from the road side and was visible to passing motorists and walkers.” At this point we believe it may have been left in the hall sometime on Thursday night but we are asking people for their help in narrowing down the timeline.”
Meanwhile, Stuart Brooker, Fermanagh county grand master of the Orange Order, accused those responsible of attempting to “intimidate” the local Protestant community.
“Lodge members feel extremely hurt to be targeted in such a malicious fashion,” he said.
“They have been through all of this before during the height of the Troubles and were convinced such delinquency was wedded to the past. Regrettably, it would seem there remains a minority intent on causing disturbance and division.”
Mr Brooker said, as the hall was relatively isolated, it could be deemed an “easy target”.
“Those who skulk in the darkness and engage in such underhand activity fail to understand that the property is a vital social facility in the border area and is utilised by a number of groups,” he added.
“The lodge membership reside on both sides of the border and are fully integrated in the local community.”