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NI: IRA ceasefire ends

01 January 1996

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At 5.45pm on Friday 9 February, a man called the Irish News in Belfast to say that a massive bomb had been planted at South Quay station in the Isle of Dogs, London. He said that the area should be evacuated immediately. Simultaneously, a second caller contacted Radio Telefeis Eireann to announce that the IRA ceasefire would end at 6.00pm. The bomb at South Quay exploded just after 7.00pm. The statement accompanying the end of the ceasefire said in part: "It is with great reluctance that the leadership of Oglaigh Na hEireann announces that the complete cessation of military operations will end at 6pm on February 9... The blame for the failure thus far of the Irish peace process lies squarely with John Major and his government." According to Irish News reporter Brendan Anderson, senior figures within the IRA's northern and southern commands were surprised by the London bombing. Strict secrecy surrounded the operation with only the handful of IRA members of the GHQ staff and the ruling Army Council knowing that a "sleeping" unit in London was to be reactivated. Irish News, 10.2.96.

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