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| TA explosion 'could have killed' | |
| (29 minutes later) | |
| The police have confirmed that a bomb has exploded inside a Territorial Army base in north Belfast. | |
| PSNI Area Commander Chief Inspector Ian Campbell said that "some blast damage" occurred inside the base off the Antrim Road. | |
| Shrapnel from the overnight explosion was also found in neighbouring streets. | |
| Chief Inspector Campbell said it was believed the device was thrown over the front gate of the compound in Ashfield Crescent shortly before 0100 BST. | |
| "Had an innocent person been in the area at the time they could have been killed or seriously injured," he added. | |
| He also confirmed that one person was seen running from the area. | |
| Members of the public reported hearing an explosion in the vicinity of the base between 0130-0200 BST. | |
| Army technical officers were then called to the scene to examine the object which was found by police. | |
| An MoD spokesman said there were "guards on the base" at the time, although no-one was injured. | An MoD spokesman said there were "guards on the base" at the time, although no-one was injured. |
| According to the MoD website, The North Irish Horse, a Royal Armoured Corp unit, is based at the Dunmore Park Camp. | According to the MoD website, The North Irish Horse, a Royal Armoured Corp unit, is based at the Dunmore Park Camp. |
| 'Escalation' | 'Escalation' |
| The website also says soldiers from the regiment train at the base most Wednesdays. | The website also says soldiers from the regiment train at the base most Wednesdays. |
| North Belfast Sinn Fein councillor Tierna Cunningham said the attack was "reckless and endangered families living nearby". | |
| The area's DUP MP Nigel Dodds said north Belfast had "witnessed an escalation of dissident republican terrorist activity". | The area's DUP MP Nigel Dodds said north Belfast had "witnessed an escalation of dissident republican terrorist activity". |
| North Belfast DUP councillor Ian Crozier, who lives in the area, said he had heard the explosion. | North Belfast DUP councillor Ian Crozier, who lives in the area, said he had heard the explosion. |
| "I heard an almighty bang early this morning. Apparently a bomb of some sort was thrown over the fence of the barracks. | "I heard an almighty bang early this morning. Apparently a bomb of some sort was thrown over the fence of the barracks. |
| "Thankfully nobody was hurt." | "Thankfully nobody was hurt." |
| There has been an increase in security across Northern Ireland following a number of recent incidents blamed on dissident republicans, who oppose the peace process. | There has been an increase in security across Northern Ireland following a number of recent incidents blamed on dissident republicans, who oppose the peace process. |
| Last Friday, a police officer's partner was injured when a bomb exploded under her car in east Belfast. | Last Friday, a police officer's partner was injured when a bomb exploded under her car in east Belfast. |
| In September, the dissident republican Real IRA admitted leaving bombs outside the homes of relatives of a police officer in Londonderry. | In September, the dissident republican Real IRA admitted leaving bombs outside the homes of relatives of a police officer in Londonderry. |