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Car bomb explodes near Northern Ireland MI5 base

Monday, 12 April 2010

Police at the scene of the bomb attack near Palace Barracks in Holywood, Co Down

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A car bomb has exploded close to MI5 headquarters in Northern Ireland today within minutes of policing and justice powers being transferred from London to Belfast.

The explosion happened at the rear of Palace Barracks in Holywood, Co Down, shortly after midnight, police said.

Homes around the base, which houses the MI5 building, were evacuated and residents were taken to the nearby Redburn Community Centre.

Republican dissidents opposed to the peace process were suspected of planting the device, which is not thought to have caused any serious injuries.

Police sources said the bomb was taken to the barracks in a taxi which was hijacked in north Belfast after the cab driver's family was held hostage.

A Northern Ireland Police spokeswoman said: "A device has exploded in a vehicle at the rear of Palace Barracks in Holywood.

"The explosion occurred at approximately 12.24am this morning

"There are no reports of serious injuries at this stage. The incident is ongoing."

Basil McCrea, an Ulster Unionist member of the Policing Board, said one elderly man was taken to hospital after being "blown off his feet".

He said between 50 and 60 people living near the barracks were taken to the Redburn Community Centre in Holywood following a 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.

It follows a series of attacks by dissidents in Northern Ireland.

In January, PSNI officer Peadar Heffron was seriously injured in an under-car bomb attack in Co Antrim.

This was followed by a car bomb which damaged a court building in Newry, Co Down, in February.

The bomb also comes in the wake of the first anniversary of the deaths of two British soldiers - Mark Quinsey, 23, and Sapper Patrick Azimkar, 21 - who were gunned down by the Real IRA outside Massereene Army barracks in Antrim town in March last year.

Two days later, PSNI Constable Stephen Carroll was murdered by the Continuity IRA in Craigavon, Co Armagh.

Alliance Party deputy leader Naomi Long said the attack appeared to be an attempt to "drag Northern Ireland back into the past".

Cllr Long said: "I would utterly condemn any such attack and am sure that the vast majority of people from across our community are sickened by the actions of people who seem intent on dragging Northern Ireland back into the past.

"It is vital that all local politicians unite to condemn this attack and redouble our efforts to create stable political structures and a peaceful society.

"I would also appeal for anyone with information about this incident to contact the Police so that those behind the attack can be apprehended."

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50 Comments

Australian Observer "Why does not Northern Ireland just move on to the one solution that has not been tried yet-unification with the south".

Interesting solution. Another one might be, why doesn't Southern Ireland unite with NI and the rest of the UK?

Or does that not suit your agenda?

Posted by mark's nemesis | 14.04.10, 11:46 GMT

Why does not Northern Ireland just move on to the one solution that has not been tried yet-unification with the south. Australian Observer

Posted by australian observer | 13.04.10, 01:23 GMT

the people who plant these bombs really are complete mindless idiots who cannot see the bigger picture and definately have no place in the modern day society of the north. please go away, northern ireland deserves some normality after years of tortment for both communities!!

Posted by keith | 12.04.10, 23:29 GMT

BArry and Doreen, have hit it right on the head. I heard the explosion last night as did my 18 year old son. It was so sad to hear him talking about this bomb blast. I grew up hearing bombs going off and shots being fired as child and I thought my children would be spared those experiences but alas some people seem intent on ruining our childrens and our childrens lives. Go away, you are not wanted, you serve no one and no purpose.

Well said Barry and Doreen, we need more people to stand up and be counted and not to let these criminals win.

Posted by Protestant Nationalist | 12.04.10, 22:51 GMT

And these filthbags wonder why we Catholics living in the north are increasingly beginning to consider them scum.

They care not for our people, for Ireland or anyone else...only for their own illegal cash generation which is doing more destruction than any British presence could ever do.

To the non-catholics in Northern-Ireland, do not think for a second we back these scumbags. they are less than vermin in most of our eyes...and they are certainly not Catholics as they proclaim.

Posted by Martin | 12.04.10, 18:17 GMT

What in the name of God were MI5 doing,drinking tea,a bloody disgrace!

Posted by ciaran | 12.04.10, 17:30 GMT

Whilst the UK is involved in wars in the Middle East there is no moral high ground. The police continually prove they cannot be trusted with 'Prevention of terrorism' powers. I totally condemn the violent actions of these dissidents but increased security will only exacerbate the situation. We need leaders who can see beyond their own small minded concerns. My hope is with the next generation.

Posted by Rab | 12.04.10, 16:03 GMT

Surely the 'disarmed' IRA,and Sinn Fein know who these dissidents are. If they truly want peace they need to name these people to the authorities,and if they don't,then people will know how insincere Sinn Fein is about the peace process. The dissidents will bring turmoil to the island ,and will bring out the loyalist dissidents to terrorise the people of Northern Ireland once again. Brave decisions are required to be made by politicans who are more concerned about their country than increasing their bank balances!

Posted by RMS | 12.04.10, 15:05 GMT

not fooled you are an idiot, its scumbags caused the explosion against the wishes of the moderate people of the whole of ireland, but then they see moderates as targets, anyone passing one of these bombs could be killed, the bomb does not differentiate, as can be seen by the result in omagh,you yourself could be passing, so wise up.

Posted by W. Gould | 12.04.10, 14:50 GMT

Stpehen: it will bever [sic] be worse than what the british army done [sic] for over 30 years

It is hard to take seriously, any comment written by such an obviously limited person. However, I would invite you to explain your assertion that the British Army was worse than terrorists, who cynically plant bombs in civilian areas.

Posted by Richard | 12.04.10, 14:26 GMT

Stephen, you are an embarrassment to yourself. We can do without your type. Go away.

Posted by Some people never learn! | 12.04.10, 14:18 GMT

Send in the SAS. stephen you re an idiot

Posted by OWC | 12.04.10, 13:33 GMT

The people commenting here showing sympathy should bow their heads in shame.

Children were in distance, and had their mothers been driving or walking past at the time this happened these children and their mothers would have died.

You people are a disgrace.

You say what the british did was wrong, so its justified.

So I ask, if the British were to retaliate it is acceptable too now then?

Keep condoning, only to condemn. you appalling excuses for men and women.

Posted by Charlotte | 12.04.10, 13:25 GMT

It's sad to see that there are still some of these old diehards still around,why dont they let the people of Northern Ireland live in some sort of harmony with the rest of the world.Where do they get the stuff ?Where do they get the time?Someone should know who done this,please lets get rid of the scum.Let us see what stand the politicians take now????If they have the B**ls.

Posted by John Reid | 12.04.10, 13:20 GMT

Paul the admin man - the police can only do something about these scumbags if people are prepared to testify against them - my friend's father was an off duty policeman and was blown to pieces - although the police know who planted the bomb they cannot take the case too court as they need hard evidence and if the case failed they could not be tried again - if only it was as simple as removing them from the streets what a wonderful world we would live in.

Posted by Dismayed | 12.04.10, 13:02 GMT

“Dissidents” always appear to save Sinn before an election. “Dissidents” are helping Sinn Fein and the DUP by providing a caricature of their past rhetoric, policies and operations. Whilst offering no hope of a destination for any intelligent people. They make it seem like its Sinn Fein, DUP, MI5 political policing and peace or bigoted, unreasoned and unreasonable violence. In the contrast ratio Sinn Fein and the DUP come out looking good even though sectarianism lite is all they offer.

Posted by Hector | 12.04.10, 13:02 GMT

Common sense says these fascist terror groups have already been infiltrated. So where the inhabitants inside, sitting waiting for it to go off?

Posted by pragmatist | 12.04.10, 12:58 GMT

I am marrying my Irish Fiancee at the end of the year and coming over to live in Eire. I am British English and my fear is that I will get mistaken for someone or other, a soldier on leave or whatever, and end up getting killed. I just want to live a normal peaceful life and raise kids etc. This news of this bomb is not very encouraging.

Posted by Matthew | 12.04.10, 12:55 GMT