On Sunday, October 26, 2025, the normally quiet Meadowbrook estate in Craigavon, County Armagh, was rocked by a security alert that led to the evacuation of a number of homes and left residents reeling with anxiety and frustration. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) descended on the area following reports of a suspect device, swiftly cordoning off the estate and urging members of the public to avoid the vicinity until further notice. The incident, which unfolded in the early afternoon, was only the latest in a series of security scares across Northern Ireland in recent days, raising renewed concerns about public safety and community cohesion.
According to BBC News NI, police responded to the discovery of a suspect device in Meadowbrook, prompting immediate evacuation procedures for nearby residents. The PSNI, maintaining a visible presence at the scene, issued a clear warning: stay away from the area for your own safety. The sight of blue and yellow police cars blocking entrances and security cordon tape crisscrossing the estate entrance was a stark reminder of the lingering threat posed by such incidents, even in 2025.
The reaction from local representatives was swift and impassioned. Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart, of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), did not mince her words in describing the situation. In an online statement, she called it an “outrageous situation” and admitted, “I have been liaising with the PSNI today and to think that in 2025 we have those who are engaging in this type of activity is just beyond comprehension.” Lockhart went on to urge anyone with information about the device or those responsible to come forward and report it to the authorities. “No one wants it!” she added, echoing the exasperation felt by many in the community.
Sinn Féin councillor for Craigavon, Jude Mallon, also weighed in, telling BBC News NI that the discovery of a suspect device was “completely unacceptable and serves only to cause disruption to our community, who are now being evacuated from their homes.” Mallon emphasized that the community’s overwhelming desire is to “live in peace and move forward,” lamenting that the incident had “achieved nothing, only to cause harm and fear.”
The events in Craigavon did not occur in isolation. In fact, they were part of a troubling pattern of security alerts that swept through Northern Ireland over the preceding days. On Friday, October 24, PSNI officers in Craigavon had already issued warnings, advising residents in the Meadowbrook, Pinebank, and Tullygally areas to remain vigilant for any unusual or suspicious items. This advisory came after police received non-specific information suggesting a device might have been left somewhere in the general area. The heightened alertness proved warranted as the weekend unfolded.
Elsewhere, the pattern of disruption continued. On that same Friday, a viable device was discovered in the Ardnamonagh Parade area of west Belfast. The find prompted the evacuation of several local residents and the closure of nearby roads. Ammunition Technical Officers were called to the scene, and after a thorough examination, confirmed that the object was indeed a viable device. It was subsequently removed for further forensic examination, ensuring the immediate threat was neutralized but leaving behind a community shaken by the close call.
The sense of unease was compounded by another incident in Londonderry. On Sunday, October 26, as police in Craigavon were responding to the Meadowbrook alert, their colleagues in the Campion Court area of the city’s Waterside district were also dealing with the fallout from the discovery of a viable explosive device at a residential property. According to reports, Ammunition Technical Officers deemed the device viable after examination, made it safe, and removed it for forensic analysis. Residents, who had been evacuated as a precaution, were allowed to return home later that day. The sequence of events underscored just how real and persistent the threat remains in certain communities.
For those living in the affected areas, the repeated disruptions have become a grim routine they had hoped was consigned to the past. The sight of police cordons, bomb disposal units, and anxious neighbors milling about in temporary shelters is a jarring throwback to darker chapters in Northern Ireland’s history. Yet, as the reactions from local politicians make clear, there is a shared determination to reject such tactics and to move forward together.
The PSNI’s response has been measured and resolute. Officers have not only managed the immediate threats posed by suspect devices but have also maintained clear communication with the public, providing timely updates and advice. Their calls for vigilance have been echoed by community leaders, who stress the importance of reporting anything suspicious and cooperating fully with investigations. The hope is that, with the public’s help, those responsible for these incidents can be identified and brought to justice.
But why, in 2025, do such security alerts continue to disrupt life in Northern Ireland? The answer, as many local representatives have suggested, is complex and deeply rooted in the region’s history. While the vast majority of people in places like Craigavon, Belfast, and Londonderry are committed to peace and progress, a small minority still resort to tactics that sow fear and division. The motives behind these actions may vary—from political grievances to attempts at intimidation—but the effect is always the same: ordinary people are left to pick up the pieces and carry on in the face of uncertainty.
The recent spate of security alerts has also prompted renewed calls for community solidarity. As Carla Lockhart and Jude Mallon both highlighted, the overwhelming sentiment among residents is one of frustration and resolve. They are tired of being caught in the crossfire and are determined not to let such incidents define their communities. The message from Craigavon and beyond is clear: people want to live in peace, free from the shadow of violence and disruption.
As the dust settles from the latest incident in Meadowbrook, questions remain about the long-term solutions needed to prevent further scares. Enhanced security measures, community engagement, and ongoing vigilance will all play a role. But perhaps most important is the collective will of residents and leaders alike to stand together in the face of adversity. In a year that has already tested Northern Ireland in many ways, the response to these security alerts is a testament to the resilience and unity of its people.
With the PSNI continuing their investigations and local representatives urging calm and cooperation, the people of Craigavon—and Northern Ireland as a whole—are once again showing that, even in the face of fear, their commitment to peace and progress remains unshaken.
