Explosion at Palace Barracks
12 Apr 2010
Police are appealing for witnesses following an explosion outside the front of Palace Barracks on the Old Holywood Road at around 12.20am this morning Monday 12 April.
It's understood that at around 9.50pm last night a male taxi driver was hijacked in the Horseshoe Court area of Ligoneill. The taxi driver was held by three males for just under 2 hours before being told to drive his silver Skoda to Palace Barracks.
Security staff at the Barracks were made aware of the abandoned vehicle just before midnight and commenced evacuation procedures. The bomb then exploded at 12.20am as security staff were still evacuating the surrounding area.
One elderly male, who was walking past the barracks at the time of the explosion, sustained minor injuries.
A number of houses in the surrounding area have been evacuated and residents were taken to the Redburn Community centre.
Redburn Primary School has also been closed.
Police are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the silver Skoda in the Ligoneill area last night or who may have any information which could assist police with their inquiries. Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0845 600 8000 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
