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American Morning

Bomb Blast in Front of Elementary School Latest Terror Tactic Used by Protesters in Northern Ireland

Aired September 05, 2001 - 09:10   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
COLLEEN MCEDWARDS, CNN ANCHOR: A bomb blast in front an elementary school was the latest terror tactic used by protesters in Northern Ireland. Young Catholic schoolgirls have become the focus for religious hatred in the divided province.

ITN's Mark Webster has details on today's vicious riots.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARK WEBSTER, ITN REPORTER: These ugly scenes of little children on their way to school being protected by police in riot gear had become almost a ritual, until Loyalist terrorists set off an explosive device.

A wounded officer lay on the ground, but the blast bomb is designed not to kill, but to cause maximum terror. In a pandemonium of blind panic, the schoolgirls and their parents ran stumbling from the school gate. They arrived sobbing and distraught.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I want to go home.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's my niece, and I'm not taking her through it again.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She's too good to walk past that. She's too good of a child for scum like that.

WEBSTER: Loyalist paramilitaries have threatened violent action against the parents and children, but their action has been roundly condemned by leaders of the Protestant community.

BILL HUTCHINSON, PROGRESSIVE UNIONIST PARTY: I'm totally ashamed to be even connected to the Loyalism, be a Loyalist, totally ashamed. No excuse for this officer laying over here on the ground.

WEBSTER: After what's happened here this morning, the question that everybody is asking on both sides of the divide, is what will it take before people realize that this is completely spiraled out of control? This must end, and it can't end soon enough for these children.

Mark Webster, ITN, Belfast. (END VIDEOTAPE)

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