Dungannon land mine attack facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dungannon land mine attack
Part of the Troubles and Operation Banner
Date 16 December 1979 Location Near Dungannon, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland 54°30′N 6°46′W / 54.50°N 6.77°W / 54.50; -6.77 Result IRA victory
Belligerents
Provisional IRA (East Tyrone Brigade)	British Army
Strength
2 active service units (bomb unit & shooting unit)	1 mobile patrol
Casualties and losses
None	4 killed, 1 vehicle destroyed

The Dungannon land mine attack happened on 16 December 1979. It was an ambush by the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA). They attacked two British Army vehicles. This happened near Dungannon, in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. Four British soldiers died in this attack.

What Was the Dungannon Attack?

This event was part of a period known as The Troubles. This was a conflict in Northern Ireland. The Provisional IRA used a hidden bomb, called an improvised land mine. They also used gunfire to attack the soldiers.

A Look at the Background

The Provisional IRA had been active since 1970. They often used land mines and roadside bombs. These attacks targeted British forces in the region. For example, in 1972, three British soldiers died near Dungannon. Their armored vehicle was destroyed by an IRA land mine. In 1974, two IRA members died. This happened when a land mine they were planting exploded too soon.

A major attack happened on 27 August 1979. The IRA killed 18 British soldiers. This was in the Warrenpoint ambush in County Down. It was the deadliest attack on British troops during The Troubles.

How the Attack Happened

On 16 December 1979, two armored British Army vehicles were driving. They were on Ballygawley Road, near Dungannon. A group from the IRA's East Tyrone Brigade was waiting. They had placed a large land mine under the road. It was hidden in a culvert (a tunnel for water).

When the second vehicle drove over the culvert, the mine exploded. It was set off by remote control. The explosion threw the vehicle into the air. Four soldiers died instantly: William Beck (23), Keith Richards (22), Simon Evans (19), and Allan Ayrton (23). After the blast, the IRA also shot at the first vehicle. However, no more soldiers were hurt.

See also

• Chronology of Provisional Irish Republican Army actions (1970–79)
• Ballygawley bus bombing
• Ballygawley land mine attack
• Altnaveigh landmine attack
• 1990 Downpatrick roadside bomb