1997 Coalisland attack

1997 Coalisland attack
Part of the Troubles and Operation Banner
Coalisland approaching from the east, with the former RUC base's radio masts in the background
Date 26 March 1997 Location Coalisland, County Tyrone Northern Ireland 54°32′23.20″N 6°42′07.28″W / 54.5397778°N 6.7020222°W / 54.5397778; -6.7020222 Result British Army/RUC base damaged Gareth Doris wounded and arrested
Belligerents
Provisional IRA Coalisland residents	United Kingdom British Army (SAS) RUC
Strength
2 IRA members[1]	12 SAS soldiers
Casualties and losses
1 suspect wounded	None
2 civilians wounded by the RUC
class=notpageimage| Location within Northern Ireland

On the evening of 26 March 1997, the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) East Tyrone Brigade launched an improvised grenade attack on the fortified Royal Ulster Constabulary/British Army base in Coalisland, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. The blast sparked an immediate reaction by an undercover Special Air Service unit, who shot and wounded Gareth Doris, an Irish republican and alleged IRA volunteer. The SAS unit was then surrounded by a crowd of protesters who prevented them approaching Doris or leaving. RUC officers arrived and fired plastic bullets at the crowd, allowing the special forces to leave the area.^[2]