Bomb an hour in Ulster

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33382, 14 November 1973, Page 17

Bomb an hour in Ulster

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) BELFAST, November 13. Northern Ireland had an average of one explosion an hour throughout yesterday and this morning—the worst 24 hours of bomb attacks for several months.

An extremist Protestant para-military group, the Ulster Freedom Fighters, claimed responsibility for the attacks in Roman Catholic areas of Belfast. Along with another extremist Protestant group, the [Red Hand Commandos, the U.F.F. was outlawed yesterday after a twoweek wave of bombings and assassinations. The British Government’s! decision to ban the two most violent Protestant under- [ ground groups came after an I ■allegation by Roman Catho-i lies that Ulster’s security, forces were not doing [enough to protect them.

i The U.F.F. immediately (said that Roman Catholic [property would continue to be bombed until the Irish Republican Army was totally defeated. At the same time the militant Provisional wing of the I.R.A, also outlawed, said that it would include the families of British soldiers in Northern Ireland in its list of targets. At least 13 persons were injured in the latest blasts, which destroyed five taverns, damaged dozens of houses and buildings, wrecked cars, and cut the main railway tine between Belfast and ' Londonderry. Most of the explosions were [in Belfast, but in London[derry a police and Army post came under rocket attack. [There were other explosions near the border.