Shocking statistics of loyalist pipe bombs

Sharon O’Neill, Irish News


February 21, 2003

Loyalist pipe bombers have struck, on average, every two days over the past three years, new figures have revealed. The latest police statistics show that almost 500 attacks and attempted pipe-bomb attacks have been carried out across Northern Ireland since 2000.

Although dissident republicans have started to use such devices, it is estimated that the UDA, in its campaign against Catholics, is responsible for all but a tiny number.

In a high-profile ‘gesture’ on Wednesday evening, the UDA dumped 14 pipe bombs and four fireworks at a drop-off point a playing fields in the Crumlin Road area of north Belfast. These were later made safe by the security forces. The move, aimed at easing fears over the recent feud, which the security minister has confirmed was not an act of decommissioning, was broadly welcomed by loyalist and unionist politicians.

Frankie Gallagher of the Ulster Political Research Group, the UDA’s political wing, insisted that the move was not a publicity stunt, saying the organisation was moving away from violence. But nationalists were more sceptical, claiming that the ‘loyalist decommissioning’ of 14 pipe bombs did not mark a major breakthrough and pointing to an upsurge in intimidation against the Catholic community following a bid to end the loyalist feud.

The shocking statistic of almost 500 pipe bombings within the past three years doesn’t include blast and petrol bombs and other explosive devices used to target Catholics, which are also believed to run into the hundreds.

In the year 2000, 21 pipe bombs exploded and 46 were made safe by the British army but that number soared the following year with 126 bombs exploding and the same number defused. Last year 94 pipe bombs exploded and 65 were defused and in the first seven weeks of this year five exploded and six were made safe.

Last night (Thursday) SDLP assembly member Alban Maginness said the number of pipe bombs dumped by the UDA was “paltry”.

“It is quite clear to me, looking at the circumstances surrounding the surrender of these pipe bombs, that this is nothing more than an elaborate publicity stunt by the UDA,” he said.

“These can be very easily replaced. What is required is not the surrender of more paltry amounts but rather a public commitment by the UDA that they will no longer manufacture these pipe bombs or engage in using them.

“The 500 pipe bombs over the past three years have been mostly used by the UDA and used to terrorise Catholic families in Belfast and elsewhere.

“The UDA must start the process of completely demilitarising their organisation and reassure the public that they will commit themselves to building peace with their Catholic neighbours.”