The Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has been taken to a "safe location" after being rushed out of a peace event he was speaking at on Friday morning in Belfast.
In a shocking moment, Mr Coveney was advised to leave the Houben Centre, where he was giving the keynote speech of the Building Common Ground event by the John and Pat Hume Foundation.
It's understood a "hijacked van" was driven to the site, with a canister placed on board and the driver forced to drive it to Holy Cross Church.
Police remain in place on Friday afternoon, with an exclusion zone put in place.
Tim Attwood is one of those evacuated from the Houben Centre.
He was in the Centre as Secretary of the John and Pat Hume Foundation, the organisers of the event..
He told Belfast Live: “Unfortunately the event has had to be cancelled due to a security alert. Sadly it seems there are still a few people who do not see the merit in supporting the legacy of John and Pat Hume in continuing to build peace, but our message is loud and clear - we will not be deterred.”
The Minister and his team are now in a safe location.
In a tweet, the Minister said: "In Belfast with the John and Pat Hume Foundation to honour John & Pat’s legacy of peace for all communities. Saddened & frustrated that someone has been attacked & victimised in this way and my thoughts are with him & his family. My thanks to the PSNI"
One of those attending the event told Belfast Live: "The event kicked off and all of a sudden Simon Coveney’s security came up and he left.
"A guy was outside who’d been badly shaken up who said that his van was hijacked and the van is in the car park now.
"A van was driven into the car park at the chapel grounds and police are all there now."
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