§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will make a statement on the bombing of Ballymena by the IRA on Friday 18 May; what was the estimated damage caused; and what arrests were made;
(2) if he will make a statement on the bombing of Banbridge by the IRA on Friday 18 May; what was the estimated damage caused; and what arrests were made;
(3) if he will make a statement on the bombing of Dungannon by the IRA on Friday 18 May; what was the estimated damage caused; and what arrests were made.
§ Mr. Humphrey AtkinsAt approximately 1 p.m. on Friday 18 May, a device containing an estimated 200 lbs. of explosive detonated in a hijacked Post Office van parked in Church Road, Ballymena. Fires were started on either side of Church Street and a considerable amount of damage was caused. At about the same time, a second device detonated in a parked car fitted with false plates in Newry Street, Banbridge. The bomb contained an estimated 100 lbs. of explosive and only partially detonated; slight damage was caused to four shops. Shortly before 8 p.m. on the evening of 18 May, a device containing between 300 and 500 lbs. of explosive exploded in a hijacked car in Irish Street, Dungannon. Considerable damage was caused to adjacent property. There were no casualties as a result of these incidents. No arrests have yet been made but police inquiries are continuing.