HC Deb 29 June 1972 vol 839 cc418-9W
Mr. Maginnis

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give details of an explosion which occurred in a vacant house at Bleary, County Armagh, on Sunday, 18th June, 1972, the amount of gelignite used, the amount of damage caused and the number of casualties.

Mr. David Howell

Following an anonymous telephone call to the police, an army search team went into an empty house at Bleary, County Armagh. During the search a booby-trap, estimated to contain between 20 and 50 pounds of explosive, went off extensively damaging the cottage. Two soldiers were killed instantly and another died later. Five other soldiers and one policeman were injured.

Mr. Maginnis

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give details of an explosion which occurred at Carnagh Orange Hall, Keady, Armagh, on Wednesday, 14th June, 1972, the amount of gelignite used, the amount of damage caused and the number of casualties.

Mr. David Howell

I assume the hon. Member is referring to the explosion which occurred on 16th June, 1972. At 9.05 p.m. on that date an armed man alighted from a car at Carnagh Post Office and gave warning of a bomb at the Orange Hall. The car then drove off. At 9.25 the bomb, estimated to contain between 10 and 15 lb. of explosive, blew up, causing extensive damage to the rear of the Orange Hall, but inflicting no injuries.

Mr. Maginnis

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give details of an explosion which occurred at Lurgan, County Armagh, on Wednesday, 7th June, 1972, the amount of damage caused and the number of casualties.

Mr. David Howell

Shortly after 11 p.m. on 7th June, 1972, a stolen vehicle was seen parked in suspicious circumstances in May's Court, Lurgan. At 11.35 p.m. the Post Office in Portadown received an anonymous call saying that a bomb would go off in the High Street in ten minutes; the name of the town was not given. At 11.46 p.m. the bomb exploded, practically demolishing three shops and damaging surrounding properties, but inflicting no injuries.

Mr. Maginnis

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give details of an explosion which occurred at Wilson's Garage, Lurgan, County Armagh, on Friday, 9th June, 1972, the amount of gelignite used, the amount of damage caused and the number of casualties.

Mr. David Howell

At 12.55 a.m. on Saturday, 10th June, a bomb, estimated to contain between five and 10 lb. of explosive, blew up in Wilson's Garage, Lurgan, causing extensive damage to the premises and 11 cars, but inflicting no injuries.

Mr. Maginnis

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give details of an explosion which occurred at Lurgan, County Armagh, on Tuesday, 6th June, 1972, the amount of damage caused and the number of casualties.

Mr. David Howell

At 11.15 on 6th June, 1972, a stolen car was reported to be parked in suspicious circumstances in Moore's Lane. At 11.27 an anonymous caller telephoned to say there was a bomb in the car. The area was evacuated and sealed off. At 11.39 the bomb exploded, practically demolishing two shops and damaging surrounding properties. One policeman was injured by flying glass.