20 March 1997 Edition
Shooting mystery
An Phoblacht has learned that the IRA had no involvement in a shooting incident near Aldergrove airport in January when three shots were reportedly fired at an Isuzu Trooper jeep that was said to have been carrying a senior British army officer and his driver.
The incident was reported as having happened when the British officer was leaving the airport. Three shots were said to have struck the vehicle on the roof. None of the occupants was hit. At the time the media speculated that the IRA was involved despite there being no claim of IRA responsibility.
Now the IRA has confirmed to An Phoblacht that after an extensive inquiry into the shooting it can categorically state that none of its units was involved in the shooting.
The IRA also called into question news reports that said the IRA exploded a device near the Hillsborough roundabout in County Down at approximately the same time as the airport shooting. The IRA never admitted being involved in any type of operation at that time either.
The incident was reported as having happened when the British officer was leaving the airport. Three shots were said to have struck the vehicle on the roof. None of the occupants was hit. At the time the media speculated that the IRA was involved despite there being no claim of IRA responsibility.
Now the IRA has confirmed to An Phoblacht that after an extensive inquiry into the shooting it can categorically state that none of its units was involved in the shooting.
The IRA also called into question news reports that said the IRA exploded a device near the Hillsborough roundabout in County Down at approximately the same time as the airport shooting. The IRA never admitted being involved in any type of operation at that time either.