THE IRA confirmed yesterday it was responsible for the Hammersmith Bridge bomb in London on Thursday night, saying it was "unfortunate" that the device had failed to go off.
At 6.10 pm. a man called the RTE newsroom saying he had a statement to issue on behalf of Oglaigh an hEireann." He used a recognised codeword.
The statement said: "The substantial explosive device which unfortunately failed to detonate at Hammersmith Bridge in London was placed bye one of our active service units."
The claim was made after anti-terrorist police investigating the IRA's renewed campaign in London arrested several people in dawn raids yesterday.
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The Press Association said armed officers visited addresses in Fulham, west London, and Essex.