Bombs defused in Northern Ireland

Two bombs have been defused in Northern Ireland this weekend.

The first bomb contained over 40kg's of explosives packed into a beer keg and placed under a railway bridge in the town of Lurgan, south of Belfast. A number of people were evacuated from their homes for almost two days while the device was made safe. The discovery caused the closure of the Dublin to Belfast railway line. It has since re-opened.

Another bomb was left inside a car at Belfast International Airport. The device consisted of a small explosive device and flammable liquid. Air travel was not affected.

Nobody has claimed responsibility for the attacks although IRA splinter groups are suspected. The mainstream IRA (Provisional IRA) has renounced violence and it's political wing, Sinn Féin, is now the most popular party in Northern Ireland. However, smaller groups such as the so-called Real IRA and Continuity IRA continue to carry out sporadic attacks. Last year they killed two British soldiers and a member of the local Police Force. Securit Forces say that these groups have almost no-support and less than 300 members between them, however experts have warned that they are becoming increasingly dangerous and have some support among the youth of working class areas.