Justice Minister Naomi Long has condemned a security alert in Lurgan that forced approximately 100 families from their homes in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The incident, centred on the Church Place area near the town’s police station, prompted a major evacuation operation and the closure of Lurgan town centre after a suspicious vehicle was discovered.
Army bomb disposal specialists carried out a controlled explosion at the scene, while displaced residents sought shelter at Lurgan Town Hall, which remained open throughout the night to provide refuge. Major traffic disruption continues, with Church Place, Church Walk, Wellington Street and sections of Market Street, William Street and North Street remaining closed.
Minister Condemns “Despicable Attack”
In a statement issued by the Department of Justice, the Minister strongly condemned those responsible, describing the incident as a “shameful and dangerous attack”.
Naomi Long said:
“This is a shameful and dangerous attack that has put lives at risk and caused disruption and upset to the local community.
“There is absolutely no place for this utterly reckless and abhorrent behaviour.
“I would like to commend the police officers who responded quickly and professionally to this incident and my thoughts are also with all those who have been caught up by this despicable attack.”
Cross-Party Representatives Urge Community Co-operation
Political representatives across the spectrum have condemned the alert and appealed for anyone with information to contact the authorities.
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart said:
“There is currently a serious security alert in Lurgan town centre, centred around the police station, involving a suspicious vehicle.
“The town centre has been completely closed off and is likely to remain so for a significant period of time. This will inevitably cause major disruption to the area, and we ask everyone to avoid the vicinity and follow all guidance from authorities.
“For those affected, Lurgan Town Hall has been opened to provide refuge and support for anyone who has been evacuated.
“This is not something anyone wants to see in our society today. The situation is deeply concerning, and I would strongly urge anyone who may have any information to come forward and report it to the PSNI immediately.
“I want to utterly and unequivocally condemn what has happened tonight in Lurgan. Our thoughts are with everyone impacted, and we hope for a safe and swift resolution.
“Please stay safe and look out for one another.”
Sinn Féin Upper Bann MLA John O’Dowd added:
“This has caused massive disruption to local families and businesses. I hope the town can return to normal as quickly as possible.
“No one wants to return to such scenes and we await the outcome of investigations into the vehicle.
“I want to thank all those who have assisted the families impacted and offered shelter.”
Recent Pattern of Security Alerts
Tuesday’s incident follows a series of security operations in the Lurgan and wider Craigavon area in recent months. Earlier in March, residents were evacuated from the Hoop Hill area following the discovery of a suspicious device, while January saw another alert in the Shankill Street area require precautionary evacuations.
The Department of Justice statement did not identify which group is suspected of involvement, nor did it confirm whether any arrests have been made. It also omitted specific details about the nature of the suspicious vehicle or whether a viable explosive device was recovered.
The alert comes after a period of heightened tension for the Justice Minister, who faced intimidation at her home in October 2025 when protesters gathered outside her property. While that incident was unrelated to dissident republican activity, it underscores the challenging security environment facing both community representatives and law enforcement in Northern Ireland.
Key Questions Unanswered
- Which specific organisation is suspected of responsibility for this incident, and what was the intended target?
- Will the PSNI commit additional resources to prevent the apparent uptick in security alerts in the Lurgan area?
- What long-term support mechanisms are available for residents who face repeated evacuation from their homes due to security threats?
- How will the authorities balance the need for transparency with operational security during ongoing investigations?
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact the PSNI on 101 or submit a report via the non-emergency reporting form. Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.