§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the RUC took following reports of an explosive device being thrown from a car travelling in the Garvaghy road area of Portadown on 16 May; what conclusions have been reached so far as to the perpetrators of the attack; and at what stage is the police investigation. [94483]
733W
§ Mr. Ingram[holding answer 19 October 1999]: Police investigated this incident which was reported at 2333 hours by a person whose given name and address do not exist. The area was checked at 2339 hours with no sign of damage. At 0019 hours a mobile support unit extensively checked the area without result. At 0145 hours they again checked the area and spoke with a person who, while allegedly knowing the names of witnesses, refused to give details other than that a device had been thrown from a red Peugeot car. A further search was undertaken at first light but found nothing to support the allegation. A local resident suggested that the noise had come from the park itself and may have been a firework. In the absence of any witnesses, injury, damage, physical or forensic evidence the conclusion reached was that the explosion may have been a firework. Further investigation is therefore held pending additional information being received.