BOMB DISPOSAL EXPERTS WERE ON STAND-BY
Bomb disposal experts stand-by
BRITISH army bomb disposal experts were on stand-by to deal with a possible device 30 minutes before the blast occurred, it emerged this week.
Giving evidence to the Coroner's Court, Warrant Officer Adam John Modd, an Army Technical Officer, said they had been notified of the possibility that an improvised device had been planted in the town. But unless they had a specific 'target to attack', his unit would not have been deployed to the scene.
The officer who had 14 years experience with the bomb squad was based at Lisanelly Camp at the time of the explosion.
Half an hour before the blast, his team had been informed that the RUC had received warning that a device had been abandoned in the town.
However, the Warrant Officer explained that ATOs were not directed into action unless a device had been found or exploded.
"We have many bomb warnings and we can't deploy to all." However, every warning call was treated seriously, he added.
When asked by Michael Mansfield QC whether people should have been moved back 350-400 metres, Warrant Officer Modd said he regarded the initial 200m 'hard cover' evacuation zone to be most important, although there was still danger beyond that point.
His unit was not involved in training RUC officers on the effects of blast damage. And he was not aware if the Army was involved in such exercises.
The officer also told the court that he was not informed that a codeword had been used in this instance.
BRITISH army bomb disposal experts were on stand-by to deal with a possible device 30 minutes before the blast occurred, it emerged this week.
Giving evidence to the Coroner's Court, Warrant Officer Adam John Modd, an Army Technical Officer, said they had been notified of the possibility that an improvised device had been planted in the town. But unless they had a specific 'target to attack', his unit would not have been deployed to the scene.
The officer who had 14 years experience with the bomb squad was based at Lisanelly Camp at the time of the explosion.
Half an hour before the blast, his team had been informed that the RUC had received warning that a device had been abandoned in the town.
However, the Warrant Officer explained that ATOs were not directed into action unless a device had been found or exploded.
"We have many bomb warnings and we can't deploy to all." However, every warning call was treated seriously, he added.
When asked by Michael Mansfield QC whether people should have been moved back 350-400 metres, Warrant Officer Modd said he regarded the initial 200m 'hard cover' evacuation zone to be most important, although there was still danger beyond that point.
His unit was not involved in training RUC officers on the effects of blast damage. And he was not aware if the Army was involved in such exercises.
The officer also told the court that he was not informed that a codeword had been used in this instance.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1483
Published Date: 28-Sep-00
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