Irish fallout: Dublin riots; more letter bombs posted

May 7, 1981

Rioting erupted in Dublin Wednesday and a letter bomb campaign was unleashed on British politicians and the royal family, as the condition of another hunger striker worsened.

In Dublin, youths set fire to at least 100 cars, smashing windows and attacking police with bricks.

In London, Scotland Yard reported intercepting letter bombs addressed to Roy Hattersley, a Labor Party spokesman on home affairs, and James Kilfedder, an Ulster Unionist MP, similar to one sent to Prince Charles that was defused Tuesday. Police said the bombs, spotted by the post office, were mailed in London.

Police suspect the Provisional IRA, which has used letter bombs in the past, of sending the bomb to Prince Charles in revenge for the death of hunger striker Bobby Sands.