Proxy bomb facts for kids

A proxy bomb, also known as a human bomb, is a very dangerous tactic. It involves forcing people to drive vehicles packed with explosives to a target. The people are usually threatened, or their families are held hostage, to make them obey. This tactic was mainly used by the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) in Northern Ireland during a conflict called "the Troubles". It was later used by the FARC in Colombia and by rebels in the Syrian Civil War.

Proxy Bomb Attacks: A History

Early Uses of Proxy Bombs

The first proxy bomb attacks happened in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. By 1973, British security forces were doing more searches. This made it harder for IRA members to plant bombs and get away. So, the IRA started using the proxy bomb tactic in March 1973.

In these early attacks, the driver and people nearby usually had time to escape before the bomb exploded. For example, in 1975, a worker at Northern Ireland's Forensics Laboratory was forced to drive a car with explosives to the building. The explosion caused some damage, but the lab quickly reopened.

Other Groups Using Proxy Bombs

The Irish National Liberation Army (INLA), another group, used a proxy bomb at least once. In 1986, they forced taxi drivers to take bombs to police stations in Newry and Downpatrick. No one was hurt in these explosions.

Loyalist Proxy Bombs

Groups called Ulster loyalists also used proxy bombs a few times in 1974. In one case, an armed group kidnapped a police officer from the Garda Síochána (Irish police). They forced him to drive a car bomb to a village near the border. The target was a pub owned by a Catholic. Luckily, the officer managed to leave the car in an open field.

In another event, a man was forced to drive a car bomb into Clones. The bomb did not explode. The IRA claimed they stopped the device. Later, gunmen in British Army uniforms hijacked a car. They put a bomb inside and forced the owner to drive it into Blacklion village. They said they were from the Ulster Volunteer Force and threatened his family. The village was cleared, and the Irish Army safely exploded the car. They believed the bomb could have destroyed most of the village.

The October 1990 Proxy Bombings

On 24 October 1990, the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) carried out a series of proxy bomb attacks. This time, three men were forced into three vehicles. They were made to drive to three British military targets. Unlike earlier attacks, these drivers were not given a chance to escape.

These three attacks happened at the same time. They took place in Coshquin (near Derry), Cloghoge (near Newry), and Omagh. The attack in Coshquin was the deadliest. It killed the driver and five soldiers. At Cloghoge, one soldier died, but the driver survived. In Omagh, no one died because the bomb did not fully explode.

Coshquin Attack Details

The Coshquin attack involved 11 members of the IRA's Derry City Brigade. Patrick Gillespie, 42, worked as a cook at a British Army base. He had been warned by the IRA to stop working there. Once before, the IRA had forced him to drive a bomb into the base. That bomb did not explode, and he had time to escape.

On 24 October 1990, IRA members took over Gillespie's house. While his family was held at gunpoint, he was forced to drive his car to a rural spot. Then, he was put into a van with 1,000 pounds (450 kg) of explosives. He was chained to the seat so he could not escape. He was told to drive to the Coshquin border checkpoint.

An armed IRA team followed him to make sure he obeyed. Four minutes from the checkpoint, the IRA team set the bomb off remotely. When Gillespie reached the checkpoint, he tried to get out and warn the soldiers. But the bomb exploded when he tried to open the door. The IRA had linked the bomb to the van's interior light. This light came on when the door opened. They also used a timer. Gillespie and five soldiers were killed.

Witnesses heard "shouting, screaming and then shots" just before the explosion. The bomb badly damaged the base. It destroyed the operations room and several armored vehicles. Soldiers had been sleeping in a new, strong bunker. This likely saved many lives. The blast also damaged 25 nearby houses.

Cloghoge Attack Details

At the same time as the Coshquin attack, the IRA's South Down Brigade took over the house of James McAvoy, 65. He was targeted because he served police officers at his gas station. He was driven away in a van while his family was held at gunpoint.

Near the border, the IRA's South Armagh Brigade loaded the van with one ton of explosives. McAvoy was strapped into the driver's seat. He was told to drive the van to the Cloghoge checkpoint. Before he drove off, an IRA member whispered to him, "don't open the door; go out through the window."

An IRA team followed the van. They turned off the road just before the checkpoint. When McAvoy stopped the van, he climbed out of the window. A soldier came over and shouted at him to move the vehicle. Moments later, a timer set off the bomb. The soldier was killed instantly, and 13 other soldiers were hurt. McAvoy survived but broke his leg. The soldier killed was Ranger Cyril J. Smith. He was given a medal for trying to warn his friends instead of running for safety.

Omagh Attack Details

Around the same time, there was a third attempted proxy bombing in County Tyrone. A third man was forced into a car. He was made to drive it to Lisanelly Camp in Omagh. His family was held at gunpoint. This bomb weighed 1,500 pounds (680 kg). It only partly exploded because of a faulty part.

Impact of the 1990 Attacks

The proxy bombings of October 1990 caused huge anger. People from all communities, including Catholics and even some IRA supporters, were outraged. This forced the IRA to stop using this tactic. Many believed these attacks greatly hurt the IRA's public image.

Later Proxy Bomb Incidents

The Troubles (Continued)

More "human proxy bombings" were planned, but they were stopped. This was partly because of the strong public anger. However, a few more "traditional" proxy bombings happened in the following months.

In November 1990, the IRA took over a man's house. While his parents were held at gunpoint, he was forced to drive a truck to a military checkpoint. He was told the truck had a bomb with a five-minute timer. When he reached the checkpoint, he shouted a warning. A small explosion was heard, but the main bomb did not go off. The truck held 3,500 pounds (1,600 kg) of explosives. This was the biggest IRA bomb at that time.

In early 1991, another proxy bomb damaged a military base in Magherafelt. No one was killed. Two months later, in April, a woman working at a police/army barracks was taken hostage with her husband. They were forced to drive to the base with a bomb in her handbag. A soldier saw them and raised the alarm. The area was cleared, and no one was hurt. The observation post was badly damaged.

The last time the IRA used proxy bombs was in April 1993. They forced two London taxi drivers to drive bombs towards Downing Street and New Scotland Yard. No one was hurt. The drivers managed to shout warnings and leave their cars in time.

Proxy Bombs in Colombia

In the early 2000s, FARC rebels in Colombia started using proxy car bombs. This was thought to be due to training from members of the Provisional IRA. In January 2003, three brothers were forced to drive car bombs to military checkpoints. Each was told their other brothers would be killed if they did not obey. One brother died, along with six Colombian soldiers. Another brother survived with serious injuries when his bomb only partly exploded. The third brother's location was unknown.

Modern Proxy Bomb Attempts

In December 2013, a group called Óglaigh na hÉireann claimed responsibility for a bomb attempt in Belfast City Centre. A car was hijacked, and its driver was forced to deliver the bomb. The bomb only partly exploded, and no one was hurt.