NORTHERN IRELAND: BELFAST: IRA LAUNCH ROCKET ATTACK ON COURTS

(6 Jan 1997) English/Nat

The IRA (Irish Republican Army) launched a rocket attack against a court complex in Belfast on Monday - badly damaging a security post but causing only minor injuries.

The blast left a police officer with a perforated eardrum - but security glass prevented any further injuries. A woman civilian was also caught in the blast but escaped unhurt.

The I-R-A later claimed responsibility for the lunchtime attack in a call to a Belfast radio station.

The rocket attack was launched against a regular terrorist target - the Royal Courts of Justice in the centre of Belfast.

Bomb-proof glass in the security post is credited with saving the officer inside from serious injury - although he was admitted to hospital with a perforated eardrum.

He has since been released.

A woman was also knocked off her feet in the explosion, but no serious injuries were reported.

The court complex is heavily protected from such attacks with a high concrete wall to deter car bombs and several permanently manned security positions.

Following today's blast police and troops sealed off the area.

Initial eye witness reports said a man got out of a car, fired some sort of missile at the manned security box and then drove off.

Police condemned the attack as callous - saying it was very lucky that no-one was seriously injured.

SOUNDBITE:
"This area, it's a very very busy area. The courts, all the courts were in operation at the time. It's a very, very busy street. It was a very callous attack. Members of the public were put at risk. Even the motorists who were close by that car were put at risk. All I can say is that it was very, very callous. We are very thankful that all the people were uninjured."
Q: Were you aware of the possibility of just such an attack?
A: I had no prior warning of just such an attack. But, of course, after what has happened in recent weeks, my officers were... they were looking after their own security. We're very much security aware but we had no prior warning that this attack was going to happen."
SUPERCAPTION: Chief Inspector Victor Hutchinson, Local Police Commander

A Ford Mondeo was left burning in the Markets district a few hundred yards (metres) away - I-R-A units often burn their getaway cars to destroy evidence.

Following the attack, the Northern Ireland High Court and the Belfast Magistrates' Court directly opposite were immediately evacuated.

The I-R-A ended a 17-month cease-fire last February with
a truck bomb in London's Canary Wharf.

Its campaign returned to Northern Ireland in October - when two car bombs were detonated inside the British army's headquarters.

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