September 25 1975

Secretary of State Mr Merlyn Rees said yesterday that the latest bombs had turned the Provisional IRA ceasefire into a “mockery and travesty”. Earlier, the IRA denied that their seventeen-month-old ceasefire was about to end.

In his statement, Mr Rees said the ceasefire was declared by the Provisional IRA. “It was cautiously welcomed by the Government and people of Northern Ireland as an opportunity to return to a more normal way of life and to political processes in which all legitimate political organisations could play their part in working out the future for Northern Ireland”.

“These opportunities are still there to be grasped. But the events of the last few days are a mockery and travesty of any ceasefire.

There can be no justification for violence. The security forces have responded vigorously to the violence. They will continue to do so”. He said that 48 people had been charged in the past few weeks and that others were helping the RUC with their enquiries. “The security forces will pursue relentlessly those responsible for violence”.

In a statement issued in Dublin, the Provisional IRA stressed that the bombings in Northern Ireland in the last few days had been directly ordered by the leadership – but should not be regarded as “the opening of a new campaign”.

They said this week’s activities had been sanctioned in retaliation for Army and police “harassment and torture” throughout the North.

The statement added: “These acts will not be tolerated and must end forthwith. We reserve the right to take similar action in the future if it becomes necessary”.

Before issuing his statement yesterday Mr Rees held a security review at Stormont Castle where he was given a detailed briefing of the Monday violence in which civilians and RUC members were injured and property was badly damaged.

The GOC Lieutenant General Sir David House, and the Chief Constable, Sir James Flanagan, gave further details of the measures taken to prevent further violence and to bring those responsible for Monday’s events to justice. A number of people had been taken into custody and some were still helping police with their enquiries. If other measures proved necessary they would be taken, they told Mr Rees.

Despite being responsible for eighteen explosions that injured over ten people, the IRA claimed its ceasefire had not ended.