TERRORISM IN BELFAST

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 126, 13 March 1950, Page 3

TERRORISM IN BELFAST

POLICE STATIONS BOMBED PRECAUTIONS TAKEN BY GOVERNMENT (N.Z.P. A.—Copyright) „ LONDON, March 1L A group of fanatical young Irish, anti-partitionists, but notthe outlawed. Irish Republican Army, is thought to have beenresponsible for a new outbreak of terrorism in Belfast. Two bomb attacks were made on Belfast pah ice stations, the first on the night: of March, 8, and the second last evening.. The only casualty wag. a; police sergeant, who was seriously injured.

The Belfast police think that young fanatics, who had access to many il l legal arms dumps still scattered over Northern Ireland, are staging the attacks as a protest against _ the visit by the Premier (Sir Basil Brooke) to the United States next month. Anti-partitionists condemned the trip as. a “political manoeuvre” to offset pro-partitionists propaganda in the United States. Sir Basil Brooke denied that he had any political motives.

The Irish Republican Army has been dormant ever since the-beginning of the war when some of its leaders were captured. Three are still imprisoned, including two unsuccessful candidates in the British election last month. Although the army’s staff organisation still exists the Belfast police are satisfied it is not responsible for this week's bombing. The authorities have taken a serious view of the. terror attacks and have hinted that the Ulster Government may again invoke the extreme anti-terrorist powers which it suspended last year. The powers include arrest without trial. A number of well-known terrorists could be taken into custody without delay. As a precaution the Government has already mobilised many special constables ancT has mounted extra guards at arms stores and other key points.