Car bomb explodes near Northern Ireland army base

[Turborama]

Source: BBC

A car bomb has exploded near an Army base in Holywood, County Down, forcing the evacuation of several homes.

It happened outside Palace Barracks in the town, where MI5 has its Northern Ireland headquarters.

Local people say they heard a large bang just after midnight. There are no reports so far of any injuries.

The blast seems to have been timed to coincide with the precise moment that policing and justice powers devolved from Westminster to Stormont.

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/8614723.stm

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Car bomb explodes at Ulster army barracks

Source: The Guardian

A car bomb exploded early this morning on the outskirts of Belfast, timed to coincide with the transfer of power as the Stormont parliament took over judicial and policing powers at midnight. Northern Ireland now has its first justice minister in nearly four decades.

A spokesman for the Police Service of Northern Ireland said: "A device has exploded in a vehicle at the rear of Palace Barracks, Holywood. The explosion occurred at approximately 12.24am. The investigation in ongoing, and there are no further details at this stage."

It was reported that one person was injured in the blast.

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

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/apr/12/northern-ireland-justice-minister-david-ford

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

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[boppers]

2. Not helpful.

What are they trying to accomplish? Seriously, I have no idea.

[Rapier09]

3. They held the guy's family hostage?

Way to win hearts and minds.

[hardtravelin]

4. Standard practice by the IRA when they were conducting an operation

When they needed vehicles or people to assist them they guaranteed cooperation from civilians by often holding their families at gunpoint until the operation was over.