'Dissident Republican' bomb explodes outside barracks

A suspected dissident Republican car bomb exploded outside a British Army barracks in the North today less than half an hour after law and order powers were officially transferred from London to Belfast.

The explosion happened at the rear of Palace Barracks in Holywood, Co Down, shortly after midnight, police said.

A Northern Ireland Police spokeswoman said: “A device has exploded in a vehicle at the rear of Palace Barracks in Holywood.

“The explosion occurred at approximately 12.24am this morning

“There are no reports of serious injuries at this stage. The incident is ongoing.”

It is understood that homes around the Army base, north east of Belfast, were evacuated.

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

The blast came as law and order policy was returned to Stormont at midnight, marking the end of 38 years of Whitehall control.

It follows a number of suspected dissident attacks in Northern Ireland including a car bomb which damaged a court building in Newry, Co Down, in February.

In March 2009, two British soldiers were gunned down by the Real IRA outside Massereene Army barracks in Antrim town.

Shortly afterwards, Constable Stephen Carroll was murdered by the Continuity IRA in Craigavon, County Armagh.