On 17 December 1983 six people were killed when a bomb exploded at Harrods department store in London.
The attack happened when a car bomb exploded outside Harrods killing six people including three officers and three civilians. A warning had been given at 12.45 p.m. with the explosion following just before 1.30 p.m.
Scotland Yard immediately placed the responsibility for the attack in the hands of the IRA. The previous week a suspicious explosive device had been found on the pavement on Kensington High Street. The British Home Secretary, Mr. Leon Brittan, expresses his revulsion at such a cold blooded and cowardly attack.
The attack came after a series of IRA threats of a bombing campaign in London. Over ninety people were injured in the attack, which occurred on one of the busiest shopping days in the lead up to Christmas. The following day the IRA admitted planting the bomb.
Here is how RTÉ News reported the bombing read by Anne Doyle and with a report from John O'Callaghan in London, who describes the scene at Harrods following the blast.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 17 December 1983. The reporter is John O'Callaghan.
