HC Deb 23 March 1972 vol 833 cc354-6W
Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence in what circumstances the Army was called to the centre of Banbridge after an Irish Republican Army bomb explosion on the early morning of Tuesday, 21st March; what weight of explosives was used; how and where the bomb was planted; how it was detonated; what injuries resulted; and what arrests were made.

Lord Lambton

At about 11.45 p.m. on 20th March an explosion in a car in Bridge Street, Banbridge, caused extensive damage to nearby property but no casualties. Army ammunition technical officers estimated that the bomb had contained 20 to 50 lb. of explosive and that it had been detonated by a timing device. No arrests were made by the Army at the time.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence in what circumstances Rifleman John Taylor, 2nd Battalion the Royal Green Jackets, was murdered by Irish Republican Army terrorists in the City of Londonderry on Monday, 20th March; what sort of gun was used; whether the fire was returned by the troops; and what arrests were made.

Lord Lambton

At about 5.15 p.m. a single high velocity shot was fired at a foot patrol in Lower Road, Londonderry. Rifleman Taylor was hit in the chest, and died on the way to hospital. The gunman did not present a clear target and so troops did not return fire. No arrests were made by the Army at the time.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence in what circumstances the Army was called to Donegall Street, Belfast, on Monday, 20th March, after an Irish Republican Army bomb explosion; what time the bomb exploded; what time the Army arrived; what deaths and injuries resulted; what weight the bomb was; how it was detonated; and what arrests were made.

Lord Lambton

I understand that at 11.52 a.m. a telephone warning was received by the Royal Ulster Constabulary that a large bomb had been placed in Church Street, Belfast. Troops and police quickly proceeded to clear the area. Many people had thus moved out of Castle Street into Donegall Street when, at 11.55 a.m., a further telephone warning stated that a bomb was due to explode in Donegall Street in 15 minutes' time. Three minutes later an explosion in a car outside 45–47 Donegall Street killed six people, injured 154 others and caused extensive damage to nearby property. Army ammunition technical officers estimated that the bomb had contained 50 to 100 lb. of explosive and that it had been detonated by a timing device. No arrests were made by the Army at the time.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence in what circumstances the Army was called to investigate a series of Irish Republican Army bomb explosions in the City of Londonderry on Tuesday, 21st March; how and where these bombs were planted; what weight of explosives were used; how the bombs were detonated; and how many arrests were made.

Lord Lambton

The information is as follows.

A bomb, estimated to have contained 20 to 50 lb. of explosive and fitted with a timing device, exploded in a suitcase in the Waterside Railway Station. It caused extensive damage but no casualties.

A bomb, estimated to have contained 50 to 100 lb. of explosive and fitted with a timing device, exploded in a car in Carlisle Street. It caused damage to nearby property but no casualties.

A bomb, estimated to have contained 50 to 100 lb. of explosive and fitted with a timing device, exploded in a car in Shipquay Street. It caused minor injuries to 23 people and considerable damage to nearby property.

A bomb, estimated to have contained 50 to 100 lb. of explosive and fitted with a timing device, exploded in a car in Strand Road. One person suffered shock and extensive damage was caused to nearby property.

No arrests were made by the Army at the time of these incidents.