1976 Balmoral Furniture Company bombing, Dunmurry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 1976 Balmoral Furniture Company bombing, Dunmurry |
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| Part of the Troubles | |
| Date | 1976 |
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Attack type
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Petrol Bombing |
| Deaths | 0 |
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Non-fatal injuries
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2 |
In 1976, a group of nine members from the Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA) carried out an attack on the Balmoral Furniture Company. This company was located in Dunmurry, an area southwest of Belfast in Northern Ireland. Among the group were Bobby Sands and Joe McDonnell. Both men later became well-known for their hunger strikes.
What Happened at Balmoral?
The Plan and the Attack
Bobby Sands and Seamus Finucane planned this attack. They intended to use petrol bombs to destroy the Balmoral Furniture Company. This building was on the edge of Belfast, close to the Twinbrook area.
Nine PIRA members drove to the furniture store. They entered the building and gathered the security guard, staff, and customers. Everyone was taken to the basement for safety. Meanwhile, four petrol bombs were placed in the showroom upstairs.
Police Arrive
A worker in a nearby building noticed what was happening. This person quickly used their car to block the entrance to the furniture shop. The police were called to the scene right away. Soon, the PIRA members found themselves surrounded by police officers.
A brief confrontation took place. During this time, two PIRA members were injured. Four others, including Bobby Sands and Joe McDonnell, tried to escape. They sat in a parked car, hoping to look like ordinary visitors.
Arrests and Consequences
Police found a revolver in their car. Because of this, Bobby Sands, Joe McDonnell, and two others were arrested. This incident happened about six months after Bobby Sands had been released from prison earlier in 1976.
In 1977, these four individuals were held responsible for having the revolver. They were sent to prison for 14 years. After his arrest, Bobby Sands was sent to HM Prison Maze. He refused to wear the prison uniform there. Both Sands and McDonnell later began a hunger strike.
