Image
The Real IRA has reportedly claimed responsibility for a car bomb attack outside MI5 headquarters in Holywood in Co Down.

One man received shrapnel injuries in the explosion at Palace Barracks on the outskirts of Belfast.

The attack was timed to coincide with the devolution of policing and justice powers from Westminster to Stormont.

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.

Secretary of State Shaun Woodward condemned the attack and said: "Today 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."

The law and order powers were transferred to the North at one minute past midnight and later today 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 Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and Sinn Féin.

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 the North.

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".

Ms 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."

Her party leader David Ford is expected to be elected into the Justice Minister's job at Stormont today.