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Explosion at Poppy Day ceremony | Explosion at Poppy Day ceremony |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A device is thought to have exploded inside a ceremonial cannon during Remembrance Day commemorations in Newry, County Down. | A device is thought to have exploded inside a ceremonial cannon during Remembrance Day commemorations in Newry, County Down. |
The Army is investigating and the area around the cenotaph is cordoned off. No one has been injured. | The Army is investigating and the area around the cenotaph is cordoned off. No one has been injured. |
Those attending said they heard a loud bang and saw a flash and smoke coming from the cannon just after 1100 GMT. | Those attending said they heard a loud bang and saw a flash and smoke coming from the cannon just after 1100 GMT. |
The incident happened as ceremonies were taking place across Northern Ireland to remember the war dead. | The incident happened as ceremonies were taking place across Northern Ireland to remember the war dead. |
'Sickening' | |
DUP assembly member William Irwin said he found the incident "sickening" especially given "the poignancy of the day 20 years on from the bombing of the cenotaph in Enniskillen". | |
The UUP's Danny Kennedy said a "crude device" had been hidden in the cannon. | |
He described the attack as "quite despicable" and said it had been a "very frightening experience for those present". | |
Sinn Fein MLA Mickey Brady said: "People and communities should be allowed to commemorate and remember their dead in peace, without hindrance and in a spirit of mutual respect." | |
Services took place across Northern Ireland | Services took place across Northern Ireland |
Meanwhile, the dead of the two world wars and other conflicts have been remembered in ceremonies across Northern Ireland. | Meanwhile, the dead of the two world wars and other conflicts have been remembered in ceremonies across Northern Ireland. |
The largest event took place at Belfast City Hall where consuls of the US, Canada, France and India laid wreaths. | The largest event took place at Belfast City Hall where consuls of the US, Canada, France and India laid wreaths. |
The Queen's representative, Lord Lieutenant of Belfast, Lady Carswell, also attended along with leaders of the armed services. | The Queen's representative, Lord Lieutenant of Belfast, Lady Carswell, also attended along with leaders of the armed services. |
This year, Remembrance Sunday falls exactly 89 years after the ending of World War I, Armistice Day. | This year, Remembrance Sunday falls exactly 89 years after the ending of World War I, Armistice Day. |