Palace Barracks, Holywood: Police investigate possible explosion

An explosive device, believed to have been a bomb hidden inside a postal van, has gone off at the regional headquarters of MI5 in Northern Ireland.

The Ministry of Defence has launched an investigation into the incident while the PSNI says it’s working with Royal Mail to ensure there are no further risks to the company’s staff and facilities.

One possibility is that the parcel may not have been addressed to the barracks. Explosives devices addressed to army recruitment offices as well as government ministers and MPs have been intercepted by Royal Mail.

Suspicion for this latest attack on a key target for anti-ceasefire republican terror groups will fall on either the new IRA or the Óglaigh na hÉireann faction.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) attended and extinguished the blaze, however the vehicle was extensively damaged.

Fortunately the postman was making deliveries at the time and escaped injury.

“We are working with the MoD and Police Service of Northern Ireland on this matter to determine the cause of the fire”.

Soldiers from The Royal Scots Borderers The Royal Regiment of Scotland have been stationed at the barracks since August 2014.

In April 2010 dissident republicans planted a huge vehicle bomb at the entrance to the barracks which caused extensive damage.

Following the attack security was stepped up.

Secretary of State Theresa Villiers said the actions were “reckless and futile”.

She said: “Those responsible for sending this postal device showed a reckless disregard for the safety of postal workers and others doing their jobs”.

Supt Karen Baxter said just after 10:35am on Friday police received a report that a postal van was on fire within the Palace complex.

DUP MLA Gordon Dunne said the incident had been a serious threat to security.

Scottish soldiers moved from Dreghorn Barracks in Edinburgh to Palace Barracks in August 2014.

The former Lord Mayor of North Down and local Alliance Party councillor, Andrew Muir condemned those behind this latest incident.