Bomb explodes near security Barracks

LONDON, April 12 (KUNA) -- A car bomb exploded near to the headquarters of the domestic Intelligence service, MI5, in Northern Ireland Monday within minutes of policing and justice powers being transferred from London to Belfast, Police in the province said.
The explosion happened at the rear of Palace Barracks in Holywood, County Down, shortly after midnight, the 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. "There are no reports of serious injuries at this stage. The incident is ongoing." Basil McCrea, a member of the Policing Board, said one elderly man was taken to hospital after being "blown off his feet". McCrea said, "The warning was given and the attack alarms went off, but it is obviously a significant device." The blast came as law and order policy was returned to local control at midnight, marking the end of 38 years of British government control. It follows a series of attacks by dissidents in Northern Ireland who are opposed to the peace agreement in the province. Today's 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, a dissident group, outside Massereene Army barracks in Antrim town in March last year. (end) he.asa KUNA 121049 Apr 10NNNN