Irish Republican Army (IRA) Statement, 21 July 1972

Irish Republican Army (IRA) Statement, 21 July 1972

The Irish Times, Saturday 22 July 1972, had a front page story about the bombings in Belfast that became known as 'Bloody Friday'. The story included a statement from the Belfast Battalion of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA).

The IRA statement said there had been a detailed and open exchange of views.

"We accept full responsibility for all explosions in the Belfast area today.

In accepting responsibility we point out that the following organisations were informed of bomb positions at least 30 minutes to one hour before each explosion – the Samaritans, the Public Protection Agency, the rumour service and press.

In the case of the Oxford Street explosion it was heard on the military radio at ten minutes past two. In the case of the Cavehill Road explosion a warning had been given by an independent woman witness at least one hour before the blast."

 

Source:
The Irish Times, Saturday 22 July 1972, front page.

Note:
It is not clear from the newspaper report if the above text was this was the full content of the IRA statement.