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Bomb found at Stormont Castle in Belfast | Bomb found at Stormont Castle in Belfast |
(35 minutes later) | |
A letter bomb addressed to Northern Ireland Secretary of State Theresa Villiers has been made safe by the Army at Stormont Castle in east Belfast. | |
The castle houses the offices of Northern Ireland's first minister and deputy first minister. | The castle houses the offices of Northern Ireland's first minister and deputy first minister. |
Staff were evacuated after the package was found in the postroom of the building on Tuesday morning. | |
It is the fourth such device to be intercepted in Northern Ireland since Friday. | |
Dissident republicans have been blamed for sending them. | |
Two were addressed to police officers and the other was sent to the offices of the Public Prosecution Service in Londonderry. | Two were addressed to police officers and the other was sent to the offices of the Public Prosecution Service in Londonderry. |
Ms Villiers was not at Stormont Castle when the letter bomb was found - she is in London meeting US diplomat Richard Haass. | |
Responding to Tuesday's incident, she said: "I utterly condemn the attempted attacks we've seen over recent days. | |
"If those responsible think that this kind of criminal activity will further any agenda, then they are completely mistaken." | |
'Vile and callous' | |
First Minister Peter Robinson moved to Parliament Buildings during the alert, while Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness was not in the castle. | |
Mr Robinson condemned those who sent the letter bomb. | |
"Those responsible for sending this, and other devices, through the post have absolutely no regard for the lives of postal workers and staff working in offices," he said. | |
"They will not further any aim or objective by their vile and callous deeds. Northern Ireland will not be dragged back by terrorists who have nothing but misery to offer." | |
Justice Minister David Ford said: "This is yet a further attempt to attack a public figure. | |
"Do those sending these devices really think their intended target will personally open the package? Their actions are to be condemned by all right-thinking people." | "Do those sending these devices really think their intended target will personally open the package? Their actions are to be condemned by all right-thinking people." |