THE Law Courts have long been a prime target. The most serious attack was in 1989 when a 1,000 lb bomb exploded in a hijacked delivery van outside the front door of the High Court in Chichester Street.
An immediate security review led to the High Court and Magistrates Court opposite being sealed off to traffic.
Work then began on erecting a 20 ft wall behind the High Court facing into Oxford Street.
More recently the pedestrian gates at Victoria Street and Oxford Street were fitted with inch thick steel panels to prevent sniper attacks. This followed the seizure of computer disks which indicated that the IRA was targeting High Court judges.
Last month there was a major security alert at the High Court on the day a Christmas carol service was to be held in the Nisi Prius court.
Less than four hours after yesterday's attack, Lord Justice Sir Robert Carswell was sworn in as the new Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland at a ceremony in the Lord Chancellor's office at the Palace of Westminster.
In 1982 on the day Sir Robert was sworn in as a High Court judge in Belfast an IRA booby trap bomb was found under his car outside his home.
. Work has started on a new RUC station at Loughgall, Co Armagh, to repair the base blown up by the IRA in May 1987.