The RUC have arrested two men in connection with the bomb blast at a British Army barracks in County Derry. It's understood they were detained a few hours apart, and in separate places in County Derry.
The RUC have said that a telephone call, claiming that today's blast at a British Army base in County Derry was carried out by the Continuity IRA, cannot be authenticated. The call was made without using a recognised codeword.
Three gas cylinders packed with explosives have also been found at the Shackleton Barracks in Ballykelly, about 14 miles from Derry. The blast happened close to sleeping quarters, and shattered several windows.
The RUC said that the blast was caused by a Mark 19 timer unit. No one was injured in the blast, but a local police commander said that people could have been killed. It was initially thought that the explosion was caused by a much smaller device.
The Taoiseach described the blast as "serious" and said that it reinforced the argument that others will move in to fill any political vacuum. A Government spokesman added that the most worrying aspect of the bomb was its elaborate nature. He said talks were continuing between Government officials and the pro-agreement parties, as well as between the Taoiseach and Downing Street. He added that the Taoiseach was concerned about the short time before the beginning of the marching season.
The local Ulster Unionist MP, Willie Ross, has said that the attack was a deliberate attempt to kill as many soldiers as possible. The Sinn Féin President, Gerry Adams, said that the party was opposed to such actions.
