Distretto Nord

Esplode autobomba Real IRA vicino al quartier generale MI5

Real IRA admits MI5 car bombing

The Real IRA has admitted carrying out a car bomb attack outside an army base in County Down less than half an hour after policing and justice powers were devolved to Stormont.

Palace Barracks Holywood | MI5One man was injured in the 12.24am attack at Palace Barracks in Holywood, Co Down, which is MI5 headquaters.

A taxi driver from North Belfast was held hostage for two hours before he was forced to drive the bomb to the base in his car.

Security personnel were evacuating the area when the device exploded and some of the 30 to 40 residents who were fleeing the scene at the time described diving for cover to avoid shrapnel from the blast.

As security sources confirmed they were investigating a claim of responsibility by the Real IRA, First Minister Peter Robinson condemned the attack, while Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness insisted the peace process remained “rock solid”.

Secretary of State Shaun Woodward said: “Today (Monday) Northern Ireland will complete devolution with the transfer of policing and justice powers to Stormont.

“That democratic transition stands in stark contrast to the activity of a criminal few who will not accept the will of the majority of people of Northern Ireland.

“They have no support anywhere.”

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

“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,” Mr McCrea said.

“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.”

People living near the barracks were taken to the Redburn Community Centre in Holywood following a bomb warning and are expected to remain out of their homes for much of the day.

Devolution

The law and order powers were transferred to Northern Ireland at one minute past midnight and later on Monday politicians at the Assembly are to select a Justice Minister to lead the new Department of Justice.

The devolution of the powers was agreed in the Hillsborough Castle Agreement brokered in February between the DUP and Sinn Fein.

But while the move will bring a raft of new powers into the hands of Stormont politicians, responsibility for national security and related intelligence gathering is not to be transferred.

The high security MI5 facility is therefore the most potent symbol of the security service’s continuing role in Northern Ireland.

The MI5 base was built in 2006 at a reputed cost of more than £20m.

The four-storey building is said to house 400 staff and has been described as the organisation’s largest base outside London.

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

“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,” Ms Long said.

“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.”

Her party leader David Ford is expected to be elected into the Justice Minister’s job at Stormont on Monday.

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René Querin

Di professione grafico e web designer, sono appassionato di trekking e innamorato dell'Irlanda e della sua storia. Insieme ad Andrea Varacalli ho creato e gestisco Les Enfants Terribles.

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