(7 Jan 1997) English/Nat

The I-R-A (Irish Republican Army) launched a rocket attack against a court complex in Belfast, Northern on Monday - badly damaging a security post but causing only minor injuries.

The blast left a police officer with a perforated eardrum - but security glass prevented any further injuries. A woman civilian was also caught in the blast but escaped unhurt.

The I-R-A later claimed responsibility for the lunchtime attack in a call to a Belfast radio station.

The U-S has condemned the IRA'S actions and called on the Loyalists not to break their ceasefire following this latest attack.

The rocket attack was launched against a regular terrorist target - the Royal Courts of Justice in the centre of Belfast.

Bomb-proof glass in the security post is credited with saving the officer inside from serious injury - although he was admitted to hospital with a perforated eardrum.

He has since been released.

A woman was also knocked off her feet in the explosion, but no serious injuries were reported.

The court complex is heavily protected from such attacks with a high concrete wall to deter car bombs, and several permanently manned security positions.

Following the blast police and troops sealed off the area.

Initial eye witness reports said a man got out of a car, fired some sort of missile at the manned security box and then drove off.

Police condemned the attack as callous - saying it was very lucky that no-one was seriously injured.

SOUNDBITE:
"It was a very callous attack. Members of the public were put at risk. Even the motorists who were close by that car were put at risk. All I can say is that it was very, very callous. We are very thankful that all the people were uninjured."
SUPERCAPTION: Chief Inspector Victor Hutchinson, Local Police Commander

A Ford Mondeo was left burning in the Markets district a few hundred yards (metres) away - I-R-A units often burn their getaway cars to destroy evidence.

Following the attack, the Northern Ireland High Court and the Belfast Magistrates' Court directly opposite were immediately evacuated.

The I-R-A ended a 17-month cease-fire last February with a truck bomb in London's Canary Wharf business district.

Its campaign returned to Northern Ireland in October - when two car bombs were detonated inside the British army's headquarters.

Washington joined the protest and said it hoped that the recent incidents would not provoke Loyalist groups to end their ceasefire.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"The United States condemns in the strongest terms the attack on the Belfast courthouse today. This attack, which we understand has injured a police officer follows several discoveries in recent days of apparent Irish Republican Army bombs, which were being prepared for terrorist attacks these incidents have shaken the fragile peace in Northern Ireland, and continued violence could complicate the multi-party talks, which are scheduled to resume later this month. The United States shares the hope expressed by the British and Irish governments, that these incidents will not provoke Loyalist groups to end their ceasefire."
SUPER CAPTION: Nicholas Burns, U-S State Department Spokesperson

State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns acknowledged peace talks are in danger of collapse.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"The United States urges all sides to show restraint and give the peace negotiations a chance to succeed
SUPER CAPTION: Nicholas Burns, U-S State Department Spokesperson


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