Banbridge bomb bill could come to £10m

Traders in Banbridge have estimated that the repair bill for last Saturday's car bomb in the town could be as high as £10 million…

Traders in Banbridge have estimated that the repair bill for last Saturday's car bomb in the town could be as high as £10 million.

Earlier, the Compensation Agency said claims for compensation totalling some £3.5 million had already been lodged.

The dissident republican group calling itself the "real IRA" has admitted responsibility for the 500lb car bomb, which exploded last Saturday afternoon in the Co Down town.

Thirty-five people were hurt and one person is still in hospital in a critical condition. Up to 200 buildings were damaged, and at least five premises will have to be demolished. Loss adjusters are still working in the town trying to calculate the extent of the damage and the value of stock destroyed. The chairman of the Chamber of Trade in the town, Mr John Houston, said yesterday that the total repair bill could rise to £10 million once structural damage and loss of stock were taken into account.

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The Compensation Agency said it expected to receive at least 160 claims for compensation for damage to property, 20 of which were for "significant damage" with claims between £50,000 and £750,00.