Simon Coveney

2022 - 3 - 25

Post cover — Image courtesy of "BreakingNews.ie"

Simon Coveney evacuated from Belfast event due to security alert ... (BreakingNews.ie)

The Minister for Foreign Affairs was speaking at an event hosted by the John and Pat Hume Foundation in North Belfast.

Earlier, the PSNI confirmed police "are currently in attendance of a security alert at the Crumlin Road area of North Belfast". "There is a security alert and the PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland) are currently assessing the situation. Police are currently in attendance of a security alert at the Crumlin Road area of North Belfast this morning (Friday 25th March).

Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney taken off stage at peace event ... (Sky News)

Pro-British loyalist militant groups were likely behind the hijacking and placing of the fake device in a van whose driver was ordered to go to an event ...

Those determined to cause instability & disruption will not succeed. Those of us committed to peace will not be deterred.— Michelle O’Neill (@moneillsf) March 25, 2022 "The local community were also impacted. At the time of the incident, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said they were "in attendance of a security alert at the Crumlin Road area of north Belfast", as they advised motorists to "avoid the area and seek alternative main routes for their journey". Pro-British loyalist militant groups were likely behind the hijacking and placing of the fake device in a van whose driver was ordered to go to an event where Mr Coveney was speaking on Friday, officers said. Pro-British loyalist militant groups were likely behind the hijacking and placing of the fake device in a van whose driver was ordered to go to an event where Mr Coveney was speaking on Friday, officers said.

PSNI investigating if UVF behind hijacking that disrupted Simon ... (thejournal.ie)

THE PSNI ARE investigating whether the UVF was behind today's security threat in Belfast that caused Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney to be evacuated ...

“Those behind the van hijacking which was left on church grounds have no place in society. He was then forced to drive the van to Holy Cross Church in Belfast. “At this early stage of the investigation our assessment is that these crimes were carried out by loyalist paramilitary groups. “This evening, upon further examination, the device has been declared a hoax. I hope to be back shortly,” he told the crowd before being escorted away. Coveney had been giving a talk at the Hume Foundation in North Belfast when he had to abruptly end his speech.

Simon Coveney evacuated from Belfast event after van hijacked at ... (Irish Examiner)

Mr Coveney was addressing a John and Pat Hume Foundation event at the Houben Centre in North Belfast.

They turned around and said to me that someone had been hijacked at gunpoint and had driven a van with an alleged device into the ground and we need to get the minister out of there and get the place evacuated. So immediately, we had to get the minister away." "Saddened & frustrated that someone has been attacked & victimised in this way and my thoughts are with him & his family. In Belfast with— Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) @Humefoundationto honour John & Pat’s legacy of peace for all communities. Reports suggest a cannister had been placed on the van. My thanks to @PoliceServiceNI"

'Suspect device' discovery following van hijacking halts speech by ... (The Irish Times)

A Belfast speech by the Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney was interrupted on Friday morning after a “suspect device” was found in the car park of ...

People who attempt to intimidate and divide will not succeed,” she said. A van had been hijacked and a canister or device put in the back. There are no further details at this stage.” – Additional reporting Reuters/PA A funeral which had been due to take place at Holy Cross church was disrupted. This has not been confirmed by police. In Belfast with— Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) @Humefoundationto honour John & Pat’s legacy of peace for all communities.

Simon Coveney 'safe' as PSNI provide update on 'hijacked van' (Irish Mirror)

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence was set to speak at the Houben Centre in north Belfast at the 'Time to build the common ground' ...

"The Hume name deserves it's shared place in our history. My thanks to the PSNI" In Belfast with— Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) @Humefoundationto honour John & Pat’s legacy of peace for all communities. He told Belfast Live: “Unfortunately the event has had to be cancelled due to a security alert. Saddened & frustrated that someone has been attacked & victimised in this way and my thoughts are with him & his family. It is believed that a van was hijacked and driven into the car park of the centre, with the Minister's security team coming up to him to inform him before he was escorted away.