The dead horses of the Household Cavalry, after the 1982 nail bomb blast in Hyde park while they were on way to the changing of the guard at the Buckingham Palace. The IRA claimed responsibility for the attack

A 61-YEAR-OLD was today charged with the murders of four members of the Royal Household Cavalry in the 1982 IRA Hyde Park bombing in London, the British Crown Prosecution Service said.

Anthony Downey, 61, from Co Donegal will appear in court this afternoon accused of being responsible for a car bomb which killed members of the mounted unit as they rode from their barracks for the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace.

A second device exploded beneath the bandstand in nearby Regents Park as members of the Royal Green Jackets played to a crowd of spectators. He has not been charged in connection with that blast. A total of 11 people died in the bombings.

The charges follow a new inquiry by the London Metropolitan Police into the attacks 31 years ago. Mr Downey was charged with the murders of Roy John Bright, Dennis Richard Anthony Daly, Simon Andrew Tipper and Geoffrey Vernon Young after a review by the CPS. He has also been charged with intending to cause an explosion likely to endanger life.

Sue Hemming, Head of Special Crime and Counter-Terrorism at the British Crown Prosecution Service, said: “It is alleged that Downey is responsible for the improvised explosive device contained in a car parked in South Carriage Drive, SW1, London which resulted in the deaths of four members of the Royal Household Cavalry, Blues and Royals, as they travelled on their daily route from their barracks to Buckingham Palace."

The IRA later admitted carrying out the attack.

Mr Downey is due to appear at Westminster magistrates’ court this afternoon.

“John Anthony Downey is now charged with criminal offences and has the right to a fair trial,” said Ms Hemming.

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