Attack on Derryard checkpoint

Attack on Derryard PVC
Part of the Troubles and Operation Banner

Republican memorial at Carragunt bridge, on the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic, often crossed by Provisional IRA forces during the Troubles to attack British targets inside County Fermanagh
Date13 December 1989
Location
Derryard, near Rosslea,
County Fermanagh
54°15′27.9″N 7°10′58.4″W / 54.257750°N 7.182889°W / 54.257750; -7.182889
Result British Army complex stormed
IRA bombing attempt failed
Belligerents
Provisional IRA  United Kingdom
British Army
RUC
Commanders and leaders
Thomas Murphy
Michael Ryan
Corporal Robert Duncan
Strength
1 Improvised armoured vehicle
11 in attacking unit
9 providing tactical support
9 in the complex[1]
4 on nearby patrol
1 helicopter
Casualties and losses
None 2 killed
2 wounded
Attack on Derryard checkpoint is located in Northern Ireland
Attack on Derryard checkpoint
Location within Northern Ireland

On 13 December 1989 the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) attacked a British Army permanent vehicle checkpoint complex manned by the King's Own Scottish Borderers (KOSB) near the Northern Ireland–Republic of Ireland border at Derryard townland, a few miles north of Rosslea, County Fermanagh. The IRA unit, firing from the back of an armoured dump truck, attacked the small base with heavy machine-guns, grenades, anti-tank rockets and a flamethrower. A nearby Army patrol arrived at the scene and a fierce firefight erupted. The IRA withdrew after leaving a van bomb inside the complex, but the device did not fully detonate. The assault on the outpost left two soldiers dead and two wounded.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Herald was invoked but never defined (see the help page).