§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the IRA terrorist activity in Enniskillen at the weekend; and what arrests were made.
§ Mr. Peter MillsA bomb attack was made on the licensed premises of Mr. Charles Burns on Sunday, 28th January, but there is no evidence to suggest who was responsible. At about 10.30 p.m. a civilian saw a suitcase outside the premises. He alerted the licensee and his family, local residents and the police. The suitcase contained an estimated 50 lb of explosives which detonated just after 11.0 p.m., causing extensive damage. No one was injured. No arrests have yet been made, but inquiries are continuing.
§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about the planting of an IRA terrorist bomb in Wellworth's Store, Dungannon, on Saturday 27th January; and what arrests took place.
§ Mr. Peter MillsI understand that at about 4.0 p.m. on Saturday 27th January, an anonymous call was made to Portadown Telephone Exchange saying a 93W bomb had been planted in a Wellworth's Store. Three minutes later a detonator inside the bomb exploded in the Wellworth's Store at Dungannon. Fortunately the main charge in the bomb was not set off and no injury or damage was caused. The bomb was in a domestic shopping trolley. It was made safe by the Army, who estimate that it would have had the effect of 35 lb of explosives.
The caller did not specify in which of many Wellworth's stores the bomb had been planted. This was an indiscriminate attempt to kill and maim the maximum number of innocent people. No arrests have yet been made, but the call has been traced to a particular telephone box and inquiries are continuing.