Bomb attack on RUC station

A police station in Ulster was rocked by an explosion today amid growing fears that republican dissidents could be planning a new bombing offensive.

A police station in Ulster was rocked by an explosion today amid growing fears that republican dissidents could be planning a new bombing offensive.

The attack happened outside the RUC station in Armagh, but there were no reports of any casualties.

Security officials fear that members of the Real IRA, the dissident group responsible for the Omagh bombing, have been preparing to launch a series of attacks across the Province.

The group's numbers have been growing in Belfast, Londonderry and south Armagh, according to the sources.

The explosion came days after the discovery on Saturday of a firebomb in a soft furnishing shop in English Street in Armagh.

Ulster Unionist Assemblyman Danny Kennedy condemned today's attack on the RUC station: "I would strongly condemn this attack and I would hope that there are no casualties.

"My suspicions are that a Republican splinter group is behind this activity and I hope those who are responsible will be apprehended."

The explosion happened within 24 hoursof an explosion at an Army training base in County Londonderry, which security forces believe was also linked to republicans opposed to the peace process. It was triggered when a soldier opened the door of a wooden hut. He was unhurt.

Before leaving Belfast for a Cabinet meeting at Downing Street, Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson said: "If dissidents are responsible they will be tracked down by the police and security forces. We are going to bring this sort of violence to a halt, no matter how long it takes."