PIRA Fun Run Attack (Lisburn) (1988). California Living

PIRA Fun Run Attack (Lisburn) (1988)

Back

Newspaper report the day after... "LISBURN FUN RUN 16 JUNE 1988 QUESTIONS THAT NEED ANSWERING AFTER BLAST As a massive hunt was launched today for the IRA unit which murdered six soldiers in Lisburn, the inquiry team faced four key questions about the outrage. An Army spokesman would only say that a full investigation was being carried out into all aspects of last nights bomb attack. But security and political leaders were demanding to know * How were the IRA able to identify an unmarked van as an army vehicle? * How did the bomber breach security in the town which houses Army HQ at a time when thousands of people were watching a charity event? * Was the van left unattended while the fun run was in progress? * Will soldiers now face a blanket ban on taking part in civilian events everywhere in Northern Ireland? The IRA revealed today seven pounds of high explosives, believed to be Czech made semtex, was used in the Lisburn bomb. All six of the dead soldiers have now been positively identified, but their names will not be released until relatives have been informed. An Army spokesman said that all the victims had been based in the Londonderry area, but he could not reveal their ranks or regiments at this stage. An RUC reservist remained in hospital today after being caught in the blast. His condition was said to be satisfactory. Eight other people, including a two-year-old boy and an 80 year old man, were discharged last night after being treated for cuts and shock. All six of the dead soldiers had taken part in the annual charity fun run through the streets of Lisburn, organised by the local Borough Council. MARATHON However, less than two months ago off-duty troops were banned from running the Belfast marathon. The decision was taken because part of the marathon route went through sensitive areas in the west of the city. At that time the Army said "The involvement of soldiers in any public of off-duty activity will obviously take into account current security considerations, which are constantly kept under review." The area around Market Square in Lisburn remained sealed off as forensic experts carried out a detailed examination of the scene. The savage murder of six soldiers left Lisburn, Ulster's main garrison town, shattered and inconsolable today. The wreckage of the Transit van blown to pieces by the IRA's booby trap bomb lay scattered in Market Place. Detectives picked through the rubble and shop-keepers swept up broken glass and debris inside the cordoned off area. The entire windscreen of the van incredibly was lying on the 30ft high roof of the Northern Bank 50 yards away, after being blown there from the power of the blast. At the time of the blast, flying shards of metal even cut deep into cylinders in a nearby store, almost causing further mayhem. Today two girls from a local firm walked towards the scene of the provinces latest mass murder. They carried with them a huge bouquet of roses bearing the simple message: "From the members of the community, with deepest sympathy." They did not wish to be named. It was a spontaneous gesture by people still numbed with shock and disbelief. They could find no words to express their feeling".

Category: News
Uploaded: February 29th, 2008 @ 7:40 am
Author: nighthawk006

Length: 03:09
Rating:

Views: 6,358

Tags: 1988 army bombing british cemtex constabulary fun irish king lisburn provisional republican royal run tom ulster

Video Thumbnails:

Video Embedding Code:

* Embed this video on your website, social bookmark, myspace, or blog.

Mod California Living