22/05/2013

Man Charged Over Hyde Park Bombing

John Anthony Downey, from Co Donegal, has been charged with the murders of four soldiers in the IRA's Hyde Park bombing in London 31 years ago.

Downey, 61, was arrested by police as he came off a plane at London's Gatwick Airport on Sunday.

He is accused of being responsible for a car bomb in South Carriage Drive.

Four members of the Royal Household Cavalry were killed as they drove from their barracks to Buckingham Palace.

Over 20 soldiers were also injured.

Sue Hemming, head of special crime and counter-terrorism at the Crown Prosecution Service, said: The Metropolitan Police Service has been investigating the explosion near Hyde Park in London, which occurred on 20th July 1982.

"It is alleged that Downey is responsible for the improvised explosive device contained in a car parked in South Carriage Drive, SW1, London, which resulted in the deaths of four members of the Royal Household Cavalry, Blues and Royals, as they travelled on their daily route from their barracks to Buckingham Palace."

Downey will appear at the Old Bailey on Friday.

(CD/MH)


Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

09 April 2024
Woman And Children Held Captive In Aggravated Burglary
The PSNI have issued an appeal for information after a woman and four young children were held captive as their home was ransacked in an aggravated burglary in East Belfast on Saturday, 06 April. Police received a report that around 10.45pm, four masked men entered a house in the Greenwood Hill area of Castlereagh.
27 February 2024
Four Men Sentenced Over Co Antrim ATM Thefts
Four men have been sentenced in connection with a series of ATM thefts in the County Antrim area over four years ago. The investigation related to a number of ATM thefts between 27th October 2018 and 6th December 2019, including the theft of two cash machines at a supermarket on Castle Way in Antrim.
06 February 2024
Four Charged In Connection With Blake Newland Murder
Four people are due to appear before Ballymena Magistrates' Court charged in connection with the murder of 17-year-old Blake Newland. The Limavady teenager died after being found with serious stab wounds at a house in the town on Friday, 02 February. Detectives investigating the murder, have now charged two men, aged 27 and 29, with murder.
22 February 2024
Daniel Sebastian Allen Jailed For 29 Years For Murder Of Family Of Four
Daniel Sebastian Allen has been sentenced to life in prison for the deaths of three people in a deliberate house fire in Derrylin, Co Fermanagh, in 2018. The 33-year-old pleaded guilty to starting a fire at a house, which lead to the death of four people, including a baby girl.
30 January 2024
Info Events To Be Held On Belfast 2024 Programme
Belfast City Council has encouraged people to attend info events during February to find out how they can get involved in its Belfast 2024 programme. The £5.