OMAGH IS LATEST AND WORST REAL ATTACK
Omagh is latest and worst 'Real' attack
By Niall Blaney
THE self-styled 'Real IRA' and other republican dissidents have been responsible for a string of bombs, attempted bombings and firebomb attacks.
The groups have targeted Protestant towns, towns in the constituencies of prominent unionist MPS and those areas close to the border.
The Real IRA includes the IRA's former head of engineering - effectively their best bomb-making expert - and at least three other leading bomb-makers.
Attacks by dissident republicans include:
� Markethill, September 16 1997 - van bomb at RUC station
� Banbridge, January 6 1998 - car bomb defused near town centre
� Moira, February 20 1998 - car bomb explodes outside town's RUC station causing widespread damage
� Portadown, February 23 1998 - car bomb explodes in town centre
� Armagh, March 10 1998 - mortar bomb attack on the town's police station
� Newtownhamilton, June 24 1998 -car bomb explodes in the Co Armagh village the day before the referendum
� Newry, July 22 1998 - Mark 15 mortar attack on Newry RUC station
� Portadown, July 28 1998 -incendiary devices found in several stores in the Co Armagh town
� Banbridge, August 2 1998 - a 500lb bomb explodes in the town centre
By Niall Blaney
THE self-styled 'Real IRA' and other republican dissidents have been responsible for a string of bombs, attempted bombings and firebomb attacks.
The groups have targeted Protestant towns, towns in the constituencies of prominent unionist MPS and those areas close to the border.
The Real IRA includes the IRA's former head of engineering - effectively their best bomb-making expert - and at least three other leading bomb-makers.
Attacks by dissident republicans include:
� Markethill, September 16 1997 - van bomb at RUC station
� Banbridge, January 6 1998 - car bomb defused near town centre
� Moira, February 20 1998 - car bomb explodes outside town's RUC station causing widespread damage
� Portadown, February 23 1998 - car bomb explodes in town centre
� Armagh, March 10 1998 - mortar bomb attack on the town's police station
� Newtownhamilton, June 24 1998 -car bomb explodes in the Co Armagh village the day before the referendum
� Newry, July 22 1998 - Mark 15 mortar attack on Newry RUC station
� Portadown, July 28 1998 -incendiary devices found in several stores in the Co Armagh town
� Banbridge, August 2 1998 - a 500lb bomb explodes in the town centre
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0046
Published Date: 17-Aug-98
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