Dissident republicans were last suspected of being responsible for the car-bomb attack in Banbridge, Co Down, in which 33 civilians and two RUC officers were injured.
Last night a police officer and a store owner were being treated in hospital for injuries sustained after the 500 lb car bomb exploded in the centre of the town around 4.30 p.m. on Saturday. Most of the other injuries were not serious.
The blast caused extensive damage in the town, which was thronged with shoppers at the time. A 20-minute warning was given, but RUC officers and a local SDLP councillor, Mr Mel Byrne, who was caught up in the explosion with his family, described this as "totally inadequate".
No group has admitted the attack, although security sources suspect it was either the "Real" IRA or the Continuity IRA. Both groups are understood to have formed an alliance with the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA), which admitted responsibility for the recent bombing which wrecked the centre of Newtownhamilton, Co Armagh.
The bomb, in a red Vauxhall Cavalier, exploded in Newry Street. Several business premises were badly damaged, and some may have to be demolished. Metal from the exploding car was found up to 600 yards away. Police were clearing the scene when the bomb went off. "With a warning like that, this was an act of absolute madness and gross insanity," said the Assistant RUC Chief Constable, Mr Bill McCreesh. Mr Byrne condemned the attack as "completely irresponsible". "The police did a great job clearing the town centre, but there was no way that they could get all the people away from the centre of the blast. It is absolutely unbelievable that no one was killed," he said. The Northern Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, who visited the scene on Saturday night, said the bombing was an appalling outrage, and it was a "miracle no one was killed". "Those evil terrorists gave just 20 minutes' warning for police to clear a busy shopping street packed with families and children enjoying a sunny day out - they can have no respect for human life," she said.
"It is unclear yet who has perpetrated this terrorist attack, but let me make it plain: if it has been carried out by a group not specified in the prisoner release legislation I take it very seriously indeed," said Dr Mowlam.
The DUP deputy leader Mr Peter Robinson said the British government's "so-called peace strategy" permitted the "bombers and killers to have their violence while they talk about peace". The attack was a "shameful act of contempt for the people of this province".
"Those who voted Yes in the referendum had better realise that the so-called miracle of peace they voted for is a mirage. Peace will not and cannot happen by the methods proposed by this government. The Yes campaigners are as guilty as the bombers because they have misled the people of this province into believing that their ways would bring about peace and stability," he added.
"The people of Ulster continue to suffer a sectarian anti-British campaign by republicans, and the government has no strategy to deal with terrorism. The unionist people must be vigilant." Ms Brid Rodgers, the SDLP Assembly member for Upper Bann, said those who planted the bomb had shown a callous disregard for human life. "They show utter contempt for the democratic wishes and rights of the people of Ireland who have, in the recent referendum, massively rejected the bomb and the bullet and voted for a new dispensation."
