Republican attacks during the Troubles
See also:
Timeline of Provisional Irish Republican Army actions and
Timeline of Irish National Liberation Army actions
During
the Troubles, the
Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) and other republican groups were responsible for nearly 500 incidents in England, most of them in London.
[17] During the thirty-year campaign, 50 people were killed in London. This includes 28 civilians, 15 soldiers and 5 police officers. Two IRA members were also killed.
[18] In many cases telephoned warnings were given about bombs due to explode, identified as genuine by the use of a code word. In some cases the warning gave the wrong location, or did not give enough time to evacuate the area. Hoax calls, intended to cause disruption, were often made.
1970–1979
1973
- 8 March 1973: The Provisional Irish Republican Army conducted its first operation in England, planting four car bombs in London. Two of the car bombs were defused: a fertilizer bomb in a car outside the Post Office in Broadway and the BBC's armed forces radio studio in Dean Stanley Street. However, the other two exploded, one near the Old Bailey (1973 Old Bailey bombing) and the other at Ministry of Agriculture off Whitehall.[19] Ten members of the IRA unit, including Gerry Kelly, Roy Walsh, Dolours Price and Marian Price, were arrested at Heathrow Airport trying to leave the country.[20]
- 23 August 1973: A bomb was found in an abandoned bag in Baker Street station ticket hall. The bomb was defused. A week later another bomb was found by a member of staff at the same station and was also defused.
- 31 August: A bomb exploded in Old Quebec Street, Marble Arch damaging two hotels.[21]
- 8 September 1973: A bomb exploded in the ticket office at Victoria station injuring 4 people.[21]
- 10 September 1973: King's Cross station and Euston station bombings: Two 2 to 3 pounds (0.9 to 1.4 kg) bombs at mainline stations injured 13 people and brought chaos to central London. The first explosion at King's Cross station – which injured five people – occurred without any warning at 1224 BST, seconds after a witness saw a youth throw a bag into a booking hall. Fifty minutes later a second blast rocked a snack bar at Euston station, injuring a further eight people.[22]
- 18 December 1973: 1973 Westminster bombing: A bomb exploded in Thorney Street, which leads off Horseferry Road. The bomb was planted in a car which was known to have been stolen in London, and was parked outside Horseferry House, a building occupied by the Home Office, and opposite Thames House, which is mainly occupied by the Department of Trade and Industry. Both these buildings, and others nearby, were extensively damaged. At least 40 people were injured.
- 24 December 1973: The Provisional IRA left two packages which exploded almost simultaneously in the late evening on Christmas Eve. One was in the doorway of the North Star public house, at the junction of College Crescent and Finchley Road, Swiss Cottage, which exploded injuring six people, and the other exploded on the upstairs verandah of the nearby Swiss Cottage Tavern where an unspecified number of people were injured.[23][24]
- 26 December 1973: A bomb was detonated in a telephone kiosk in the booking hall at Sloane Square station. Nobody was injured.
1974
- 5 January 1974: Two bombs exploded within three minutes of each other. The first at Madame Tussauds, the second during the Boat Show at Earls Court Exhibition Centre. Police confirmed a telephone warning had been given shortly before both explosions allowing evacuations at both sites and there were no fatalities or injuries reported. It was later confirmed the devices had been planted by the IRA.[25]
- 19 May 1974: A bomb exploded on the third level of a multi-storey car park at Terminal 1 at Heathrow Airport, London. 50 to 100 pounds (23 to 45 kg) of explosive was left in a BMC 1100 car. The Press Association had received a warning at 11.05 a.m. and police were clearing the site at 11.17 a.m when the explosion occurred. Four people suffered minor injuries. Several vehicles were destroyed and others damaged. At 10.25 p.m. another warning was received about a bomb at the NAAFI headquarters in Kennington Lane. A police search found a bag containing about 30-pound (14 kg) of explosive at the rear of the building. The bomb was defused.[26]
- 17 June 1974: 1974 Houses of Parliament bombing: A bomb exploded at the Houses of Parliament in London, causing extensive damage and injuring 11 people.[27]
- 17 July 1974: 1974 Tower of London bombing: An explosion in the Tower of London left one person dead and 41 injured. This was the second bomb in London on this day. At 0430 BST there was an explosion at government buildings in Balham, South London. Nobody was injured in the morning blast but there was substantial damage to surrounding buildings.[28]
- 11 October 1974: Bombs explode at Victory Services Club and Army and Navy Club. One injured.[29]
- 22 October 1974: Brook's Club bomb attack: A 5-pound (2.3 kg) bomb exploded in the Brooks Club, London, injuring three members of staff.[30]
- 24 October 1974: Harrow School bombing: No injuries.
- 7 November 1974: An off-duty soldier and a civilian were killed when a bomb was thrown through the window of the Kings Arms pub in Woolwich, and 28 people were injured.[31]
- 25 and 27 November 1974: 1974 London pillar box bombings: Provisional IRA exploded bombs inside pillar boxes in various places around London, injuring 40 people.
- 30 November 1974: A device exploded near Talbot Public House in Little Chester Street, SW1. Eight people injured.[32]
- 11 December 1974: One person was wounded in an explosion at the Naval and Military Club in Piccadilly.[32]
- 14 December 1974: Shooting at the Churchill Hotel in Portman Square injured four people.[32]
- 17 December 1974: Bombs detonated on two telephone exchanges: one on Draycott Avenue, SW3, injuring four people; another in Chenies Street, killing one person and injuring another.[32]
- 19 December 1974: Oxford Street bombing: The IRA carried out a bomb attack on Selfridge's department store in Oxford Street, London. A time bomb had been placed in a car which was then parked outside the store. Three telephone warnings were given and the area was evacuated. The explosion was later estimated to have caused £1.5 million worth of damage.[31]
- 21 December 1974: A bomb exploded on the first floor in the furniture department of Harrods department store in Knightsbridge, London causing a fire but without injuries. Another bomb was defused in the King's Arms public house in Warminster, Wiltshire.[31]
- 22 December 1974: A 2-pound (0.9 kg) car bomb exploded at former Prime Minister Edward Heath's home in Victoria, London. Heath was not at home at the time but arrived 10 minutes later. Minor damage. No injuries.[33]
1975
- 19 January 1975: Eight people were injured in machinegun attacks on Portman Hotel and Carlton Tower Hotel.[34]
- 23 January 1975: A time bomb at the Woodford Waterworks pumping station in North London exploded, causing three injuries.[35]
- 27 January 1975: Seven time-bombs at multiple spots in London. At 6:30 pm a bomb exploded at Gieves, in Old Bond Street. At 9:30 pm bombs exploded at the Moreson chemical plant in Ponders End and a disused gas works in Enfield. Only minimal damage was caused by these two bombs. Two further bombs exploded in Kensington High Street and Victoria Street. A warning was given of a bomb in Putney High Street and a British Army bomb-disposal officer was able to defuse the device. A warning was also given for a bomb in Hampstead and it was defused. Two people were injured from the Kensington High Street bomb.[32]
- 26 February 1975: Murder of Stephen Tibble.[32]
- 28 August 1975: Seven people were injured when a bomb exploded near Peter Browns Outfitters in Oxford Street, London, outside the south-east corner of Selfridges store. A telephone warning was issued to The Sun newspaper five minutes before the explosion.[36]
- 29 August 1975: One person was killed in an explosion in Kensington Church Street.[32]
- 5 September 1975: London Hilton bombing: Two people were killed and 63 injured when an IRA bomb exploded in the lobby of the Hilton hotel in London.[37]
- 29 September 1975: Bomb in Oxford Street injured seven.[29][38]
- 9 October 1975: 1975 Piccadilly bombing: A bomb detonated at a bus stop outside Green Park tube station, killing 23-year-old Graham Ronald Tuck and injuring at least 20 people – two of them children.[39]
- 12 October 1975: Bomb planted at Lockett's Restaurant in Marsham Street, Westminster, a popular haunt of Tory MPs. It contained 27.5 lb of gelignite. It was spotted by the restaurant manager and defused with minutes to spare.
- 23 October 1975: Device explodes in Campden Hill Square, W8, killing one person and injuring one.[32]
- 29 October 1975: Trattoria Fiore bombing: 18 people are injured in a bomb attack on an Italian restaurant.[32]
- 3 November 1975: Several people injured by a car bomb in Connaught Square, London W2.[citation needed]
- 12 November 1975: Scott's Oyster Bar bombing - one killed and 15 hurt.[32]
- 17 November 1975: Walton's Restaurant bombing: A bomb was thrown through a window into Walton's Restaurant in Walton Street, Knightsbridge, killing two people and injuring 23 others. The restaurant was owned by established restaurateurs Robert Wren and Norman Swallow and was often frequented by celebrity diners.
- 27 November 1975: Ross McWhirter was shot at his home Village Road, Bush Hill Park, Enfield, Middlesex by two IRA volunteers, Harry Duggan and Hugh Doherty, and died soon after in hospital.[40][41]
- 6–12 December 1975: Balcombe Street Siege: Four IRA members held two people hostage at 22b Balcombe Street.[42]
1976
- 29 January 1976: 12 bombs exploded in the West End of London during the night. A 13th device was discovered later in an HMV record store. The bombs were small, between about 3 to 5 pounds (1.4 to 2.3 kg). Several started small fires. One person was injured.[43]
- 13 February 1976: A 30-pound (14 kg) bomb was found in a small case at Oxford Circus station and was defused.[44]
- 21 February 1976: Bomb at Selfridges in Oxford Street cause five injuries.[32]
- 4 March 1976: Cannon Street train bombing: A 10-pound (4.5 kg) bomb exploded in an empty train near Cannon Street station, injuring eight people in a passing train.[45]
- 15 March 1976: West Ham station attack: An IRA bomb exploded on a Metropolitan line train at West Ham station, on the Hammersmith & City section of the line. The bomber, Vincent Donnelly, possibly took the wrong train and attempted to return to his destination. However, the bomb detonated prior to reaching the City of London. Donnelly shot Peter Chalk, a Post Office engineer, and shot and killed the train's driver Julius Stephen, who had attempted to catch the perpetrator. Donnelly then shot himself, but survived and was apprehended by police.[45]
- 16 March 1976: An empty train was severely damaged by a bomb at Wood Green station. The train was about to pick up fans from an Arsenal football match, but the bomb detonated prior to arriving at the station, injuring one passenger standing on the platform. Three men were sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for this attack.[46]
- 27 March 1976: 1976 Olympia bombing: A bomb placed by the Provisional IRA exploded in a litter bin at the top of an escalator in a crowded exhibition hall. 20,000 people were attending the Daily Mail Ideal Home Exhibition at the time. 70 were injured.[47]
1977
- 29 January 1977: Thirteen bombs detonated in and around Oxford Street within 50 minutes shortly after midnight, wrecking buildings and setting Selfridges ablaze. At least one man was injured.[48][49]
1978
1979
1980–1989
1980
- 2 December 1980: A device exploded at Princess Louise Regiment Territorial Army Centre, Hammersmith Road, London W6, injuring five people.[54]
1981
- 8 January 1981: A bomb was planted in the Suvla barrack block at RAF Uxbridge. The device was discovered and petrol surrounding the bomb was moved away. The 35 RAF musicians and 15 airmen living there were evacuated before it exploded. The building was damaged by the blast and debris thrown across the Hillingdon Road but no one was injured.[55][56]
- 10 October 1981: Chelsea Barracks bombing: A bomb blast on Ebury Bridge Road next to Chelsea Barracks killed two people and injured 39.[54]
- 17 October 1981: A bomb attached to a car in Dulwich, London SE21 injured one person, Lieutenant-General Sir Steuart Pringle.[54]
- 26 October 1981: A bomb planted by the IRA in a Wimpy Bar on Oxford Street killed Kenneth Howorth, the Metropolitan Police explosives officer who was attempting to defuse it.[54]
- 23 November 1981: A device exploded at Royal Artillery HQ, Government House, Woolwich New Road, London SE18 injuring two people.[54]
1982
1983
- 10 December 1983: A device exploded at Royal Artillery Barracks, Repository Road, London SE18 injuring three people.[54]
- 17 December 1983: Harrods bombings: Harrods West London department store was bombed by the IRA during Christmas shopping. Six people were killed (including three police officers) and 90 injured.[54]
1985
1988
1989
- 15 November 1989: A device was discovered in Kensington and defused. No injuries.[54]
1990–1999
1990
- 14 May 1990: 1990 Eltham bombing: A device exploded at Service Education Centre, Eltham, injuring seven people.[54]
- 16 May 1990: 1990 Wembley bombing: The IRA planted a bomb underneath a minibus at the Army Recruiting Centre in Wembley, which detonated killing Sgt Charles Chapman and injuring four others.[54]
- 23 May 1990: A car was involved in a high-speed chase in Lordship Lane, Tottenham, north London and contained two loaded Kalashnikov semi-automatic rifles discovered by police afterwards[62]
- 9 June 1990: Honourable Artillery Company bombing: An explosion at Honourable Artillery Company HQ, City Road, London EC1 injured 19 people.[54]
- 21 June 1990: A device exploded at RAF Stanmore Park, Uxbridge. No injuries.[54]
- 25 June 1990: Carlton Club bombing: A bomb exploded at Carlton Club, St. James, London SW1 injuring 20 people.[54]
- 6 July 1990: A small device exploded in a litter bin in The Strand, London WC2. No injuries.[54]
- 20 July 1990: London Stock Exchange bombing: The IRA detonated a large bomb at the London Stock Exchange causing massive damage but no injuries.[54]
- 6 August 1990: A device was discovered at the former home of Lord Armstrong in London NW8 and defused. No injuries.[54]
- 17 September 1990: An Army colour sergeant was shot and injured as he sat in a car outside the Army Information Centre, Finchley, London.[54]
- 27 September 1990: A device was discovered at the Royal Overseas League, Park Place, London WC1 and defused. No injuries.[54]
1991
- 7 February 1991: Downing Street mortar attack: Three mortar bombs were fired at 10 Downing Street. One minor injury.[54]
- 18 February 1991: Victoria station and Paddington station bombings: A bomb exploded in Paddington station, damaging the building's roof but causing no casualties. Three hours later another bomb exploded at Victoria station. One man was killed and 38 people injured.[54]
- 28 June 1991: A device was discovered outside the Beck Theatre, Hayes, Middlesex and defused. No injuries.[54]
- 5 August 1991: A fire was caused by incendiary devices at the Cambridge Public House, Charing Cross Road, London. No injuries.[54]
- 29 August 1991: Three incendiary devices were discovered under a seat at London Underground Depot, Hammersmith W6. No injuries.[54]
- 31 August 1991: An incendiary device was discovered at the Bargain Bookshop, Charing Cross Road, London WC2. No injuries.[54]
- 1 December 1991: A number of incendiary devices ignited at The Discount Furniture Store, Habitat, The World of Leather, The Reject Shop, Tottenham Court Road causing damage to property but no injuries.[54]
- 2 December 1991: An incendiary device ignited at Littlewoods, Oxford Street, London W1. No injuries.[54]
- 14 December 1991: Four devices were found in shops at the Brent Cross Shopping Centre. No injuries.[54]
- 15 December 1991: An incendiary device partially ignited at the Sainsbury Wing, National Gallery, London WC2. No injuries.[54]
- 16 December 1991: A bomb exploded on the railway line near Clapham Junction. No injuries.[54]
- 23 December 1991: Incendiary devices ignited at Ilford Underground Depot, Neasden Underground Deport and on a train at Harrow on the Hill. No injuries.[54]
1992
- 10 January 1992: A small device exploded at Whitehall Place, London SW1. No injuries.[54]
- 17 January 1992: Two incendiary devices were discovered at the Marquis of Granby Public House, Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1. No injuries.[54]
- 30 January 1992: An incendiary device was found at Elephant and Castle Underground Depot, London SE17. No injuries.[54]
- 3 February 1992: An incendiary device was found under a seat at Neasden Underground Depot. No injuries.[54]
- 7 February 1992: An incendiary device ignited at London Underground Sidings between Barking and Upney stations. No injuries.[54]
- 11 February 1992: A small device was discovered in a telephone box outside the Treasury, Parliament Street, London SW1 and made safe. No injuries.[54]
- 28 February 1992: London Bridge bombing: A bomb exploded at London Bridge station injuring 29 people.[54]
- 29 February 1992: Device exploded at the Crown Prosecution Service, London EC4 injuring two people.[54]
- 1 March 1992: A small device was discovered at White Hart Lane railway station Tottenham, London N17 and defused.[54]
- 10 March 1992: A small device exploded beside railway line near Wandsworth Common railway station, London SW18. No injuries.[54]
- 6 April 1992: A device exploded outside a building housing various offices at Bridle Lane, near Piccadilly Circus, London W1.[54]
- 10 April 1992: Baltic Exchange bombing: A large bomb exploded outside 30 St Mary Axe in the City of London. The bomb was contained in a large white truck and consisted of a fertiliser device wrapped with a detonation cord made from Semtex. It killed three people: Paul Butt, aged 29; Thomas Casey, aged 49, a Baltic Exchange employee; and 15-year-old Danielle Carter. Several other people were critically or severely injured. The bomb also caused damage to surrounding buildings (many of which were further damaged by a second bomb the following year). The bomb caused £800 million worth of damage—£200 million more than the total damage costs resulting from all 10,000 previous explosions that had occurred relating to the Troubles in Northern Ireland. A new skyscraper was built on the site of the previous historic building.[54][63]
- 11 April 1992: 1992 Staples Corner bombing: A large bomb exploded underneath the A406 flyover at Staples Corner, causing serious damage to roads and nearby buildings including a B&Q DIY store and causing the closure of the junction. The blast was large enough to be felt many miles away.[54]
- 7 June 1992: A device exploded at the Royal Festival Hall, London SE1 causing blast damage. No injuries.[54]
- 10 June 1992: A small device exploded in a litter bin near the Army and Navy department store, Wilcox Place, Victoria Street. No injuries.[54]
- 15 June 1992: A device exploded in a taxi cab, which had been hijacked, at St. Albans Street, near Piccadilly Circus. No injuries.[54]
- 25 June 1992: A device hidden in a brief case exploded at Coleman Street, City of London EC2.[54]
- 6 September 1992: A small device exploded in the gents' toilets in the foyer of the London Hilton Hotel, Park Lane, London W1 causing little damage and no casualties.[54]
- 17 September 1992: Two incendiary devices caused a small fire at Madame Tussaud's, Marylebone Road, London NW1. A small device exploded at The Planetarium, Marylebone Road, London NW1 causing minor damage. Two incendiary devices were discovered at Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Road, London SE1 and extinguished, causing minor damage.[54]
- 7 October 1992: A small device exploded in a litter bin at the junction of The Haymarket and Panton Street, Piccadilly SW1. Five people suffered minor injuries. Minimal damage.[54] A small device exploded behind a BT junction box near Centre Point, Flitcroft Street, London WC2 causing slight damage and no casualties.[54]
- 8 October 1992: A device exploded under a car at Tooley Street, London SE1 causing damage to two other cars and slightly injuring one person; and a small device exploded under a car at Melcombe Street, London NW1, causing little damage and no injuries.[54]
- 9 October 1992: Small device exploded under a car at the car park of the Royal British Legion, Nursery Road, Southgate N14. No injuries. A small device exploded under a car at the Car Park, Arnos Grove Underground Station. No injuries.[54]
- 10 October 1992: A device exploded in a phone box outside Paddington Green Police Station, Harrow Road, Paddington W2. One person injured.[54]
- 12 October 1992: Sussex Arms bombing: A device exploded in the gentlemen's toilet of the Sussex Arms public house in Covent Garden, killing one person (who died the following day as a result of injuries) and injuring four others.[54]
- 19 October 1992: Small device exploded under the wheel arch of a coach parked outside the Novotel Hotel, Shortlands, Hammersmith W6. No casualties. Device exploded under a car at Oxenden Street, London SW1. Two people treated for shock.[54]
- 21 October 1992: A device exploded on the track near Silver Street station Edmonton as a train was passing, causing little damage. Two people were treated for minor injuries. A device, believed to have been hung on railings at Princess Louise Territorial Army Centre, Hammersmith Road W6, exploded. Three people suffered minor injuries. A device exploded causing slight damage to the track near Harrow Road (junction with Furness Road) NW10, but no casualties.[54]
- 22 October 1992: A small device exploded causing damage to a sewage pipe at Wick Lane E3. No casualties.[54]
- 25 October 1992: A device exploded in a doorway in London SW1 causing some damage to the building and to nearby cars. No casualties.[54]
- 30 October 1992: A small device exploded in a hijacked minicab outside Cabinet Office Whitehall, London SW1 (near Downing Street). No one was injured.[54]
- 14 November 1992: Stoke Newington Road lorry bomb: A van discovered in Stoke Newington Road, London N16 containing a very large improvised explosive device. One policeman was shot and injured confronting two men.[54]
- 15 November 1992: The IRA planted a bomb at Canary Wharf in the Docklands. The device was spotted by security guards and was deactivated safely.[54]
- 16 November 1992: A device in van in Collingwood Street, Bethnal Green E1 was made safe.[54]
- 1 December 1992: A large improvised explosive device in van at junction of Stephens Street and Tottenham Court Road made safe.[54]
- 9 December 1992: An HME device partially detonated in a van in car park at Woodside Park Underground station, London N12. No injuries.[54]
- 10 December 1992: Two devices exploded in litter bins outside shops at Wood Green Shopping Centre, London N22. Eleven people were slightly injured.[54]
- 17 December 1992: A bomb hidden in a litter bin in a third-floor men's lavatory of the John Lewis department store, Oxford Street, London, by the IRA detonated just after 11 am. A second bomb exploded 15 minutes later at the rear of the store, in Cavendish Square, while shoppers and staff were still being evacuated. Four people were injured.[64] Another small device exploded in a litter bin Cavendish Square, W1 slightly injuring three people.[54]
- 22 December 1992: A small device exploded on an emergency staircase at Hampstead tube station.[54]
1993
- 6 January 1993: Incendiary attacks on London shops: An incendiary device ignited at Reject Shop, Plaza Shopping Centre, London W1 causing minor damage; a very small device exploded at Dillons' Bookshop, Northumberland Avenue, WC2 causing little damage; an incendiary device ignited at C&A, Oxford Street, W1, causing very little damage; and an incendiary device ignited at Video Shop, 60 Oxford Street W1 causing minor damage. On 7 January 1993, an unignited incendiary device was found at Dillon's Bookshop, Northumberland Avenue W1. On 14 January 1993, an unignited incendiary device was found at Topshop, Oxford Circus W1.[54]
- 28 January 1993: 1993 Harrods bombing: A bomb exploded in a litter bin outside Harrods, injuring four people and damaging 30 feet (9.1 m) of shop front.[54][65]
- 3 February 1993: A small device exploded on train stopped at Kent House station, Kent and evacuated following warnings. No casualties. A device exploded in underground passageway at South Kensington tube station, London SW7 following a warning and evacuation. No casualties.[54]
- 10 February 1993: A small device exploded in doorway of block of flats in London SW1. Minor damage. No injuries.[54]
- 27 February 1993: Camden Town bombing: A bomb exploded in a litter bin outside a McDonald's restaurant in Camden Town, injuring 18 people, two seriously.[54][66]
- 7 April 1993: A small device exploded in builders skip in Argyle Square, London WC1. Minor damage. No injuries
- 24 April 1993: Bishopsgate bombing: The IRA detonated a huge truck bomb in the City of London at Bishopsgate. It killed photographer Ed Henty, injured over 40 people, and causing approximately £1 billion worth of damage,[67] including the near destruction of St Ethelburga's Bishopsgate church, and serious damage to Liverpool Street station. Police had received a coded warning, but were still evacuating the area at the time of the explosion. The area had already suffered damage from the Baltic Exchange bombing the year before.
- 28 August 1993: A small device containing Semtex was discovered in Wormwood Street, London (City) EC2. It was disrupted by a controlled explosion, causing no damage or injuries.[54]
- 16 September 1993: Two small incendiary devices were found Curzon Phoenix Cinema, Charing Cross Road WC2. One small incendiary device found at the MGM Cinema, Shaftsbury Avenue WC2. They had all malfunctioned, causing no damage or injuries.
- 1 to 8 October 1993: Over eight days, a series of IRA bombs were left in various London locations. On 1 October, four bombs were left on Finchley Road, London NW8, three of which exploded on 2 October 1993. Five people were injured by falling glass. The fourth device was found and made safe. On 4 October, pairs of bombs were left in Highgate (where one failed to explode), two bombs exploded in Crouch End,[68] and Archway, causing significant localised damage but no injuries. On 8 October, bombs exploded in Humber Road near the North Circular Road junction of Staples Corner and outside the Black Lion Public House at 295 West End Lane, West Hampstead, NW6, again causing damage but no injuries.[54]
- 29 October 1993: A small device exploded beside a car in Edwardes Square W8 causing extensive damage to car but no injuries.[54]
- 20 December 1993: A postal device was discovered at a sorting office, London EC1 and was made safe. No damage. No injuries. Six devices were discovered in a holdall at the Travellers Tavern, Elizabeth Street, Victoria, London SW1. At least one ignited. No injuries, minor damage. A package ignited at Mount Pleasant Sorting Office, London EC1. No injuries, minor damage. A small device ignited in a litter bin at Northfields Tube Station, London W13. No significant damage and no injuries.[54]
- 21 December 1993: A series of coded bomb warnings closed 40 British Rail stations, paralysed large sections of London Underground, affected more than 350,000 commuters and cost the capital's economy an estimated £34 million. London Underground evacuated 50,000 to 60,000 people from 100 Tube stations in 15 minutes at the height of the morning rush hour. About 300,000 rail commuters were either stranded in trains or found services cancelled. Deliberately vague warnings followed an IRA tactic to cause widespread travel disruption was in and around the capital.[69]
1994
- 27 to 29 January 1994: Incendiary devices ignited at C&A, Mothercare, Silverdale Travel Goods and Nightingales, all in Oxford Street W1, causing minor damage. Two more incendiary devices were discovered at C&A and Nightingales and made safe.[54]
- 18 to 22 February 1994: Incendiary devices and one very small high explosive device were planted in various London shops: a record shop at 157 Charing Cross Road WC2; Topshop, Oxford Circus W1; Hennes, Oxford Circus W1; a newsagents (which was destroyed), Great Cumberland Place W1; Burtons, New Oxford Street WC1; Burtons, Regent Street W1; Liberty's, Regent Street W1; Mr. Byrite, Oxford Circus W1; and Mr. Handy, Edgware Road W2. Some devices ignited causing damage. Others were discovered and made safe. No injuries.[54]
- 9 to 13 March 1994: Heathrow Airport mortar attacks: The IRA launched a series of mortar attacks at the capital's main airport. On 9 March, four mortar bombs fired from a car parked at the Excelsior Hotel landed on or near the northern runway. On 11 March, four mortar bombs fired from waste ground landed on an aircraft parking area near Terminal 4. On 13 March, five mortar bombs launched from waste ground landed in the vicinity of Terminal Four. None exploded and there was no damage, but the attack caused much disruption to travel when areas of the airport were closed over the period.[54]
- 10 June 1994: Two incendiary devices discovered at Liberty's, Oxford Street, London W1 and made safe.[54]
- 11 June 1994: An incendiary device ignited at Mr. Byrite's, Oxford Street, London W1 causing little damage. A further device had failed to detonate.[54]
- 22 August 1994: A high explosive device was found in litter bin outside Laura Ashley shop in Regent Street Wl and defused. There were no injuries or damage.[54]
1996
- 9 February 1996: Docklands bombing: The IRA bombed the South Quay area of Canary Wharf, London, killing two people and injuring some 40, and causing an estimated £100 million worth of damage.[70]
- 15 February 1996: A 5-pound (2.3 kg) high explosive bomb placed in a telephone box at the junction of Charing Cross Road and Litchfield Street, London WC2 was disarmed by Police.[54]
- 18 February 1996: Aldwych bus bombing: A bomb detonated prematurely on a bus travelling along Wellington Street, Aldwych, London WC2, killing Edward O'Brien, the IRA terrorist transporting the device and injuring eight others.[54][71]
- 8 March 1996: A bomb hidden in a litter bin exploded in Old Brompton Road near Earl's Court Exhibition Centre in west London, causing damage to vehicles.[72]
- 17 April 1996: A bomb exploded before 10pm in The Boltons, Earl's Court Road, west London. No injuries occurred but it caused damage to properties.[73]
- 24 April 1996: 1996 Hammersmith Bridge bomb: A major bomb that could have caused catastrophic damage failed to explode properly in west London.
1997
- 29 April 1997: A series of IRA bomb warnings and two bomb explosions on an electricity pylon near the M6 junction 10A disrupted transport networks in southern England and the midlands. In the London area, Heathrow airport and the M25 motorway were closed. A spokesman for Britain's transport industry claimed that a minimum of £30 million of losses had been caused.[74]
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