Pat Catney opens island centre as up to 100 affected by Hillview Avenue Lisburn

Police were at hillview avenue lisburn on Thursday after a security alert moved a number of people from their homes in Lambeg, County Antrim. Officers asked the public to avoid the area while councillors said support was being arranged for residents displaced from the street.

SDLP councillor Pat Catney said he believed up to 100 people could be affected. He said, “We are opening the island centre for anyone that's put out of their house tonight.”

Hillview Avenue and the island centre

The island centre was the main named support point given to people who had been put out of their homes. Catney gave that update at the scene, alongside police presence on Hillview Avenue, as the alert kept residents away from the area.

The source did not say what triggered the alert or how many homes were evacuated, but the scale Catney described points to a wider disruption than a single household. For anyone affected, the immediate step was to use the island centre rather than remain near Hillview Avenue while police continued their work.

Gary Hynds in Lambeg

Independent councillor Gary Hynds said he had been “trying to reassure residents” while he was in the area. He said, “The council will have things in place for anyone that might need them.”

That gave displaced residents a second route to support, with council arrangements described alongside the island centre opening. The practical picture for people moved from their homes was straightforward: stay clear of the scene, use the support being opened, and follow the direction of police at Hillview Avenue.

The alert left the key question on the ground as one of duration, not response. Police remained at the scene, residents had already been moved, and the council response was being put in place for anyone who needed it.