1998 Banbridge bombing

1998 Banbridge bombing
Part ofthe Troubles
Banbridge Banbridge (Northern Ireland)
Location	Banbridge,Northern Ireland
Date	1 August 1998 (UTC)
Target	Unionist owned businesses
Attack type	Car bomb
Deaths	0
Injured	35
Perpetrator	Real IRA

The1998 Banbridge bombingwas the explosion of acar bombin the town ofBanbridgeinCounty Down,Northern Irelandon 1 August 1998. Thirty-three civilians and twoRoyal Ulster Constabulary(RUC) officers were injured in the attack in a busy shopping street that was later claimed by theReal Irish Republican Army(RIRA), a dissidentIrish republicangroup.

The bomb containing 500 lb (230 kg) of explosives was inside a redVauxhall Cavalierparked on Newry Street.A 20-minute telephone warning was given allowing the police to clear the town centre and potentially avoiding many fatalities, although the warning was "inadequate" and still led to many injuries.The bomb severely damaged the heart of the town and shops in the area, causing an estimated £3.5 million of damage.

After the bombing, local residents, paramedics, and emergency services worked tirelessly to help the injured and clear the debris. Witnesses recounted their experiences to reporters, and there were heart-rending stories of people looking for their loved ones in the aftermath of the explosion.

At the time it was the most damaging bomb attack since the signing of theGood Friday Agreementin April. Two weeks later, the Real IRA would carry out the infamousOmagh bombing.Shortly afterwards, they had a ceasefire.

The town was targeted previously that year by theContinuity IRAin an attempted car bomb on 6 January 1998, which was safely defused after a warning.Major bombings also occurred there in 1991 and 1982.

See also

• Timeline of Real Irish Republican Army actions