Irish Foreign Affairs Minister, Simon Coveney, has been taken to a "secure location" after The Houben Centre on Crumlin Road was evacuated this morning following a security alert.
Mr Coveney was speaking at The Houben Centre to address the Building Common Ground event by the John and Pat Hume Foundation, when it's understood a "hijacked van" was driven to the site.
It's understood a van was hijacked on the Shankill, a canister placed on board and the driver forced to drive it to Holy Cross Church, North Belfast.
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The room where the event was taking place has been cleared, and police have put an exclusion zone in place.
The Crumlin Road remains closed from Cambrai Street to the roundabout at Twadell Avenue as the incident is ongoing. Motorists are advised to avoid the area, and bus diversions are also in place.
A heavy police presence remains in the area on Friday afternoon as a cordon remains.
A spokesperson for the PSNI said: "Police are currently in attendance of a security alert at the Crumlin Road area of North Belfast this morning (Friday 25th March).
"Motorists are advised to avoid the area and seek alternative main routes for their journey."
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 who organised the Build The Common Ground 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 security alert has led to widespread condemnation across the political spectrum. Infrastructure Minister, Nichola Mallon, was in attendance at the peacebuilding event in The Houben Centre.
In a tweet, she said: "Threatening a peace building event - those behind this need to get it, you've lost, you won't hold us back."
Soon after those at the event were evacuated, Simon Coveney tweeted: "In Belfast with @Humefoundation 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 @PoliceServiceNI"
North Belfast MP, John Finucane, added: "The attack on an event involving Minister Simon Coveney at North Belfast's Houben Centre today is disgraceful.
"Those behind the van hijacking which was left on church grounds have no place in society.
"While they try to bring back the past, we will keep working for the future."
Justice Minister, Naomi Long, also spoke out following the incident. She said: "Hard to imagine what goes through the minds of people who engage in such reckless, futile behaviour. Thoughts with all those disrupted and distressed as a result."
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