Mark Gobell
On Gardening Leave
Joined: 24 Jul 2006
Posts: 4529
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 Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 8:42 am Post subject: Mortars at Heathrow March 1994 |
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3 mortar attacks on Heathrow in 4 days in 1994
I have no idea if these events were actually perpetrated by the IRA or not. There are reports that the IRA claimed responsibility. The timing is interesting.
| Quote: | UNITED KINGDOM: AFTERMATH OF SUSPECTED IRA MORTAR ATTACK ON LONDON'S HEATHROW AIRPORT
09 March 1994
Story
Police continued on Thursday (March 10) to examine debris after a mortar bomb attack on the perimeter of London's Heathrow Airport on Wednesday evening.
Police said they suspected Irish Republican Army (IRA) guerrillas were behind the attack, which caused no injuries and little damage after five mortar bombs failed to explode.
The guerrillas came close to blowing up a runway but their mortars, fired from a car parked outside an airport hotel, failed to detonate when they hit the tarmac only minutes before a Concorde flight was due to land.
The attack caused severe disruption and long flight delays as one of the airport's two main runways was closed while police searched the area for unexploded mortars.
The attack is the first major strike by the Irish Republican Army in the three months since Britain and Ireland launched a peace initiative aiming to bring the guerrillas' political allies Sinn Fein to the negotiating table.
British officials described Wednesday's five-rocket round as a "cynical" gesture of defiance against Britain's strict anti-terrorism laws, which were to come up for their largely routine annual renewal in parliament the same day.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility from the IRA, which is fighting British rule in Northern Ireland, but police and government officials said they were in no doubt about who was responsible.
Airport officials said pilots continued to land their aircraft on the affected runway for 30 minutes after the mortar attack, unaware of the danger.
While business at the airport was running smoothly again on Wednesday, police were continuing enquiries into the circumstances surrounding the blast. Video recordings from security cameras around the hotel may provide evidence leading to the identity of the attackers.
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| Quote: | Independent
IRA bombs on runway as jets land: Mortar attack at Heathrow - New campaign fear - Terrorism Act renewed in Commons
Thursday, 10 March 1994
PASSENGER jets were allowed to land on a runway for 31 minutes after it was hit by two of five mortar bombs launched by the IRA at Heathrow last night.
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News of the bombing was broken to the House of Commons by Mr Howard as MPs debated the annual renewal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
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The incident will be viewed not just as an expression of republican displeasure at the renewal of the Act but also, and more importantly, as an attempt to demand political concessions from the Government. It will give added significance to Anglo-Irish talks due to be held at Downing Street today. |
| Quote: | CAIN
Wednesday 9 March 1994
First IRA Mortar Attack on Heathrow
The Irish Republican Army (IRA) carried out a mortar attack on the perimeter of Heathrow Airport. Although the five mortars fell inside the airport grounds none of them exploded. The mortars were fired from a car parked near to the perimeter fence. [Police and security services searched the area looking for other vehicles containing mortars but found none. However, this turned out to be the first in a series of three carefully planned attacks on the airport; the others happened on 11 March 1994 and 13 March 1994.]
The House of Commons voted to set up a select committee on Northern Ireland affairs. The Commons also voted to renew the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
Friday 11 March 1994
Second IRA Mortar Attack on Heathrow
In a second attack on Heathrow Airport the Irish Republican Army (IRA) launched four mortars over the perimeter fence. None of the mortars exploded. A Royal Air Force plane with the Queen on board landed at the airport while the security forces were conducting a search of the terminal. [There had been a previous attack on 9 March 1994. The mortars were fired from a wooded area close to the perimeter fence. The police carried out a further search of wooded areas but discovered no further mortars. However, there was another attack on the airport on 13 March 1994.]
Sunday 13 March 1994
Third IRA Mortar Attack on Heathrow
Heathrow Airport was closed for two hours following a third Irish Republican Army (IRA) mortar attack. None of the mortars exploded. [The mortars had been concealed underground and were fired from a wooded area close to the perimeter fence. There had been two previous attacks on 9 March 1994 and 11 March 1994.]
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The Medium is the Massage - Marshall McLuhan. |
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