Controlled explosion carried out on WWII device at Rifle Park Share
The scene on Thursday evening was attended by two police squad cars and two bomb disposal units who confirmed the explosive device was 'viable' before making the scene safe. Thursday evening touch rugby was momentarily interrupted with the sound of the small explosion, but continued on as before with most of the players oblivious to the events nearby. It is understood that the unexploded ordnance was discovered in the afternoon by metal detector enthusiasts, who contacted the authorities when they came upon the old shell. The shell was located in the area beside the main pitch now known as 'Old Rifle Park', which the club vacated in the 1990's upon the construction of three newer pitches. The origin of the shell is not known, however British, American and Belgian troops were billeted at various sites in and around Banbridge from 1939 through to VE day in 1945 during the Second World War.
Army Technical Officers have carried out a controlled explosion on a World War II shell found on the old 1st XV pitch at Rifle Park.