Blair condemns Belfast firebomb attacks

British Prime Minister Tony Blair today condemned a spate of firebombings in Belfast that have been blamed on dissident republicans…

British Prime Minister Tony Blair today condemned a spate of firebombings in Belfast that have been blamed on dissident republicans.

Speaking in the House of Commons today, he said the attacks were intended to disrupt the progress brokered at St Andrews and the best response was to drive the peace process forward.

He also promised Democratic Unionists that the British government had "no intention" of bringing back legislation to grant amnesties to IRA members on the run.

Today's attacks came as an all-party group of Northern Ireland politicians prepared to ask Chancellor Gordon Brown for a £5 billion peace dividend.

Northern Secretary Peter Hain said today the firebombers whose devices destroyed three shops in Belfast would be caught.

Millions of euros worth of damage was caused and 50 jobs are under threat following the attacks.

Mr Hain said dissident republicans were behind the attacks in an effort to derail the political process.

But he warned: "They will not be allowed to succeed. We will hunt them down. The whole community is united against them."

  • Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date

  • Sign up for push alerts to get the best breaking news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone

  • Listen to In The News podcast daily for a deep dive on the stories that matter