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Real IRA claims Co Down car bombing
Monday, 12 April 2010 12:43
The Real IRA has claimed responsibility for the car bomb that exploded close to the British Army base at Holywood, Co Down, this morning.
In a phone call to the BBC, a spokesperson for the dissident republican group said it had carried out the attack.
The bomb exploded near the headquarters of MI5 in Northern Ireland shortly after policing and justice powers were transferred from London to Belfast.
PSNI sources said the bomb was taken to the barracks in a taxi, which was hijacked in north Belfast after the driver's family was held hostage.
A PSNI spokeswoman confirmed: 'A device has exploded in a vehicle at the rear of Palace Barracks in Holywood.'
'The explosion occurred at approximately 12.24am this morning.'
PSNI chief Superintendent Nigel Grimshaw said those responsible had shown no regard for human life and were nothing more than criminals.
Homes around the Palace Barracks, which houses the MI5 building, were evacuated.
Man injured
Policing Board member Basil McCrea of the Ulster Unionists said between 50 and 60 people living near the barracks were taken to the Redburn Community Centre in Holywood following the bomb warning.
Mr McCrea said: 'The warning was given and the attack alarms went off, but it is obviously a significant device.
'One person, an elderly man, was blown off his feet. I think he was just a member of the community who happened to be walking past. He has gone to hospital. I think it must have been a bit of a shock.'
The blast came as law and order policy was returned to Stormont at midnight, marking the end of 38 years of Whitehall control.
Ford to be appointed Justice Minister
The power-sharing administration is due to appoint David Ford of the Alliance Party as Northern Ireland's Justice Minister later today.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr Ford said the threat of dissident republicans was ongoing and the new policing powers were important in fighting it.
Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson said the bombers would not disrupt the devolved government.
'We are not going back, we will continue to move forward.
'It is an attempt to intimidate Assembly members as they meet today to move forward on policing and justice.'
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said the dissident groups had no support and would not derail the political process.
He said: 'There are challenges and we have to rise to those challenges, but where people are trying to destroy the peace process, as these people are, of course, in my view, there is not even the remotest prospect of them succeeding. The peace process is rock solid.'
Speaking ahead of Mr Ford's expected appointment, Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams said it was a major step forward for the peace process.
He said: 'This is yet another important step forward in the ongoing process of change. The peace process is being challenged but the peace process is working.
'Sinn Féin is very pleased with today's progress and we are determined to keep moving forward.'
The Taoiseach has described this morning's attack as a futile act and said all the resources available on the island will be used to deal with such activity.
Brian Cowen said that having a Minister for Justice in Northern helped with efforts to establish a community police force, which is supported by all parts of the community.
Monday, 12 April 2010 12:43
The Real IRA has claimed responsibility for the car bomb that exploded close to the British Army base at Holywood, Co Down, this morning.
In a phone call to the BBC, a spokesperson for the dissident republican group said it had carried out the attack.
The bomb exploded near the headquarters of MI5 in Northern Ireland shortly after policing and justice powers were transferred from London to Belfast.
PSNI sources said the bomb was taken to the barracks in a taxi, which was hijacked in north Belfast after the driver's family was held hostage.
A PSNI spokeswoman confirmed: 'A device has exploded in a vehicle at the rear of Palace Barracks in Holywood.'
'The explosion occurred at approximately 12.24am this morning.'
PSNI chief Superintendent Nigel Grimshaw said those responsible had shown no regard for human life and were nothing more than criminals.
Homes around the Palace Barracks, which houses the MI5 building, were evacuated.
Man injured
Policing Board member Basil McCrea of the Ulster Unionists said between 50 and 60 people living near the barracks were taken to the Redburn Community Centre in Holywood following the bomb warning.
Mr McCrea said: 'The warning was given and the attack alarms went off, but it is obviously a significant device.
'One person, an elderly man, was blown off his feet. I think he was just a member of the community who happened to be walking past. He has gone to hospital. I think it must have been a bit of a shock.'
The blast came as law and order policy was returned to Stormont at midnight, marking the end of 38 years of Whitehall control.
Ford to be appointed Justice Minister
The power-sharing administration is due to appoint David Ford of the Alliance Party as Northern Ireland's Justice Minister later today.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr Ford said the threat of dissident republicans was ongoing and the new policing powers were important in fighting it.
Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson said the bombers would not disrupt the devolved government.
'We are not going back, we will continue to move forward.
'It is an attempt to intimidate Assembly members as they meet today to move forward on policing and justice.'
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said the dissident groups had no support and would not derail the political process.
He said: 'There are challenges and we have to rise to those challenges, but where people are trying to destroy the peace process, as these people are, of course, in my view, there is not even the remotest prospect of them succeeding. The peace process is rock solid.'
Speaking ahead of Mr Ford's expected appointment, Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams said it was a major step forward for the peace process.
He said: 'This is yet another important step forward in the ongoing process of change. The peace process is being challenged but the peace process is working.
'Sinn Féin is very pleased with today's progress and we are determined to keep moving forward.'
The Taoiseach has described this morning's attack as a futile act and said all the resources available on the island will be used to deal with such activity.
Brian Cowen said that having a Minister for Justice in Northern helped with efforts to establish a community police force, which is supported by all parts of the community.
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