Dissident bomb rocks Enniskillen

A DISSIDENT republican bomb attack on Enniskillen last night prompted calls for the British government to put on hold any plans to scale down army installations in the North.

Ulster Unionist honorary secretary Arlene Foster claimed it would be “premature” for the government to bring forward more plans to dismantle army watchtowers after the bomb exploded in the Border town.

Mrs Foster, who will be an Assembly candidate for the Ulster Unionist Party in the area at the next election, said she was shocked.

“At this stage, there are no reports of any injuries but I have to say I am shocked even if I am not surprised by this bomb attack on Enniskillen.

“It proves once again that the Continuity IRA remain active in Co Fermanagh.

“It also illustrates that talk of a normalised security situation and the need for demilitarisation seems premature.”

The bomb exploded shortly after 7.10pm after police in the area received phone calls, purporting to be from the Continuity IRA.

The scene of the explosion in Town Hall Street is central, and local sources said the device was clearly intended to cause maximum damage to commercial property in the area.

The explosion came just two days ahead of a visit to Northern Ireland by the British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, aimed at breaking the deadlock in the North’s peace protest.

It is understood a meeting was due to take place at Fermanagh District Council’s offices near the scene of the explosion.

Enniskillen was the scene of one of the worst atrocities in Northern Ireland’s history.

Eleven people died and 63 were injured in the Provisional IRA’s Poppy Day massacre in 1987, when a bomb exploded on Remembrance Day without warning.