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IRA St Albans bomb memorial 'grotesque' - Peter Lilley | IRA St Albans bomb memorial 'grotesque' - Peter Lilley |
(about 7 hours later) | |
An MP has condemned plans to lay flowers in memory of an IRA bomber blown up in St Albans 20 years ago. | An MP has condemned plans to lay flowers in memory of an IRA bomber blown up in St Albans 20 years ago. |
Patricia Black and Frankie Ryan were killed on 15 November 1991, when a bomb they were carrying detonated early. | Patricia Black and Frankie Ryan were killed on 15 November 1991, when a bomb they were carrying detonated early. |
Police have confirmed the family of one of two IRA members plans to mark the anniversary by laying a wreath. | Police have confirmed the family of one of two IRA members plans to mark the anniversary by laying a wreath. |
Peter Lilley, who was the city's MP at the time, said: "I think it's grotesque to commemorate an evil act which was attempting to kill indiscriminately." | |
He said the bomb had targeted "innocent citizens of St Albans and bandsmen". | He said the bomb had targeted "innocent citizens of St Albans and bandsmen". |
The bomb exploded in the doorway of the old Barclays Bank next to the Alban Arena. | The bomb exploded in the doorway of the old Barclays Bank next to the Alban Arena. |
The Blues and Royals military band were playing in the venue at the time. | The Blues and Royals military band were playing in the venue at the time. |
One civilian was injured in the blast, but minutes later about 300 people would have been leaving the concert. | One civilian was injured in the blast, but minutes later about 300 people would have been leaving the concert. |
Black, 18, from Belfast, was a volunteer in the Belfast Brigade of the Provisional Irish Republican Army. | Black, 18, from Belfast, was a volunteer in the Belfast Brigade of the Provisional Irish Republican Army. |
Fellow volunteer Ryan, 25, had Irish parents but was brought up in Essex and went to Ireland in 1985 where he became involved in the Republican movement. | Fellow volunteer Ryan, 25, had Irish parents but was brought up in Essex and went to Ireland in 1985 where he became involved in the Republican movement. |
A memorial to the pair was erected in their honour at the Sally Gardens Centre in Belfast in 2007. | A memorial to the pair was erected in their honour at the Sally Gardens Centre in Belfast in 2007. |
Hertfordshire police said they had been "made aware of an intention to lay wreaths". | Hertfordshire police said they had been "made aware of an intention to lay wreaths". |
A statement read: "At this stage we are currently making numerous checks as to who is organising this and what their plans are. | A statement read: "At this stage we are currently making numerous checks as to who is organising this and what their plans are. |
"Until the exact circumstances are confirmed it would be inappropriate for us to comment any further." | "Until the exact circumstances are confirmed it would be inappropriate for us to comment any further." |
A spokesperson for St Albans City and District Council, which owns land where the bomb exploded, said it was liaising with the police and would not comment further. | A spokesperson for St Albans City and District Council, which owns land where the bomb exploded, said it was liaising with the police and would not comment further. |
Peter Lilley, who was the Conservative Secretary of State for Trade and Industry at the time of the blast, became MP for Hitchin and Harpenden in 1997. | Peter Lilley, who was the Conservative Secretary of State for Trade and Industry at the time of the blast, became MP for Hitchin and Harpenden in 1997. |