Remembrance Day Bombing - Planning

Planning

The bombing was thought by the British and Irish security forces to have been planned and overseen by up to three units of the IRA from both sides of the border. Although IRA units were given "a degree of operational autonomy" at the time, they believed that a bomb of such strength must have been sanctioned by IRA Northern Command. However, a high-ranking IRA member said that it was suggested by IRA men at the local level and sanctioned by a "middle level" officer. Denzil McDaniel, editor of Fermanagh's Impartial Reporter, later interviewed security and IRA contacts, putting together an account of the bombers' movements. He wrote that the 40 pounds (18 kg) bomb was made in Ballinamore, County Leitrim and brought to the town by up to thirty IRA volunteers, moving in relay teams to avoid security patrols. It is thought to have taken over 24 hours to transport the bomb. On 7 November the bomb—hidden in a sports bag—was left at the gable wall inside the town's Reading Rooms, and set to explode at 10:43 the next day, minutes before the ceremony was to start.

The IRA released a statement claiming that a "Crown Forces patrol" had been the target. However, it has been alleged that the bomb was meant to kill Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) soldiers who were parading to the memorial, with "a few civilian deaths" deemed acceptable collateral.