RUC probe blast at security base
Police were today investigating reports of an explosion close to the Bessbrook security base in South Armagh.
A local member of the Stormont Assembly said it appeared a missile had been fired from a van abandoned near the base.
Police said what was described as a ‘‘loud bang’’ was reported to have been heard in the vicinity of the Bessbrook community centre which is near the rear of the Bessbrook Mill base.
An RUC spokeswoman said residents in two nearby streets were evacuated. There were no reports of anyone being injured, she said.
Ulster Unionist Assembly member Danny Kennedy, who lives nearby, said: ‘‘It appears a van was left abandoned and a missile has been fired from it.
‘‘Police and troops are in attendance and evacuated a local estate.’’
He said a lot of elderly and ‘‘angry and confused’’ people had been forced to leave their homes.
