Donegal man due in UK court over 1982 IRA bombing

A man will appear at the Old Bailey today charged with the murder of four British solders in the 1982 Hyde Park IRA bomb blast.

John Downey, 61, of Co Donegal, was arrested at Gatwick Airport last month.

He is accused of being responsible for a car bomb left in South Carriage Drive which killed solders as they rode through the park to the changing of the guard.

The explosion injured other members of the Royal Household Cavalry and killed seven horses as they travelled from their barracks to Buckingham Palace.

Downey is charged with murdering Roy Bright, Dennis Daly, Simon Tipper and Geoffrey Young, and with intending to cause an explosion likely to endanger life.

He will appear before Mr Justice Sweeney for the preliminary hearing.