The Continuity IRA is believed responsible for the 600 lb. car bomb left in the centre of Lisburn, Co Antrim, yesterday. British army bomb experts defused the device after a series of telephone warnings.
No group has admitted planting the bomb, but neither the CIRA nor IRA dissidents opposed to the peace process have admitted the attacks they carried out in recent months. They are believed to be deliberately aiming to cause confusion.
Security sources ruled out any Provisional IRA involvement in yesterday's incident. The targeting of Lisburn could well have been a deliberate attempt to harden feeling among unionists against the Belfast Agreement. The town is part of the constituency of Ulster Unionist MP Mr Jeffrey Donaldson, who is against the agreement.
Bombing Lisburn would also be of symbolic importance for CIRA as the staunchly unionist town has been attacked on numerous occasions by the Provisionals. The CIRA is opposed to the peace process which it believes will copperfasten partition. The bomb was left in Market Square, which was evacuated along with nearby Bow Street.
Three controlled explosions were carried out on the device. CIRA has attempted to carry out several bombings in recent months.