Un uomo è stato fermato in collegamento all’autobomba esplosa fuori da Palace Barracks, che ospita il quartier generale nordirlandese dell’MI5
L’attacco è avvenuto nel giorno in cui David Ford è stato scelto come ministro della giustizia di Stormont. Il primo ministro dopo quasi 40 anni. L’ultimo infatti aveva lasciato il dicastero nel 1972.
Il trentenne è stato arrestato nella zona di Ardoyne a North Belfast.
Viene interrogato presso la stazione di polizia di Antrim.
In seguito all’esplosione, un anziano che camminava nei pressi di Palace Barracks è stato curato per lievi ferite.
La bomba era stata abbandonata su un taxi, sequestrato nella zona di Ligoniel a North Belfast, intorno alle 21.50. La base dove si trova l’MI5 dista circa 10 chilometri.
Il veicolo era stato abbandonato presso la base intorno a mezzanotte obbligando la polizia ed il personale di sicurezza ad evacuare l’area. La bomba esplose dopo soli 20 minuti, mentre l’evacuazione era ancora in corso.
Tratto da BBC News
Man held over MI5 base car bomb
A man has been arrested in connection with a car bomb which exploded outside the Army base which houses MI5’s Northern Ireland headquarters.
It came on the day that David Ford was chosen as the first local politician since 1972 to be NI’s Justice Minister.
The 30-year-old was arrested in the Ardoyne area of north Belfast.
He is being questioned at Antrim Police Station.
An elderly man who was walking near the barracks at the time was treated for minor injuries.
The bomb was placed in a taxi, which had been hijacked in the Ligoniel area of north Belfast, about seven miles from Holywood, at about 2150 BST.
The driver was held hostage by three men for about two hours before being told to drive his taxi to the barracks.
The vehicle was abandoned at the base just before midnight prompting police and security staff to evacuate the area. The bomb exploded about 20 minutes later as the evacuation was still taking place.