1.
GV ABBEYLEIX HOUSE
0.10

2.
GV PEOPLE OUTSIDE HOUSE
0.16

3.
GV GATES ACROSS ROAD IN TREE FELLING AREA
0.23

4.
SV POLICE CAR, POLICE GET OUT
0.34

5.
SV POLICEMAN LIFTS BIT OF WOOD
0.39

6.
SV POLICEMAN SAWING TREE PAN MEN HOLD STEADYING ROPE
0.46

7.
CU SAWN END OF TREE
0.48

8.
SV SPLIT STUMP OF TREE
0.49

9.
SV PAN. WOOD BESIDE ROAD
0.54

10.
SV PAN. WIRE TORN DOWN
1.03

11.
LV POLICEMEN CLIMB WALL
1.08



Initials DS/S/RM/SGM



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: IN THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND, TEN MEN WERE CHARGED TODAY (FRIDAY) FOLLOWING THE BOMB EXPLOSION AT ABBEYLEIX HOUSE, WHERE PRINCESS MARGARET AND LORD SNOWDON ARE STAYING. A HUNT IS STILL GOING ON FOR FIVE OTHER MEN BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE INCIDENT.

THE TROUBLE STARTED LATE THURSDAY NIGHT WHEN ABBEYLEIX HOUSE, WHERE PRINCESS MARGARET AND HER HUSBAND ARE STAYING AS THE GUESTS OF VISCOUNTESS DE VESCI. LORD SNOWDON'S SISTER, WAS PLUNGED INTO DARKNESS. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS A PETROL BOMB EXPLODED, SHATTERING WINDOWS OF HOUSES IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD.

IMMEDIATELY, MEN OF THE IRISH SPECIAL BRANCH WENT INTO ACTION AND SEALED OF THE AREA. HOWEVER, THE HUNT EXTENDED THROUGH MOST OF CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN IRELAND AND WAS CLIMAXED BY A 20 MILE (32 KILOMETRE) CAR CHASE, DURING WHICH A MOLOTOV COCKTAIL WAS THROWN AT A POLICE CAR. THE HOME-MADE BOMB FAILED TO EXPLODE.

DAWN AT ABBEYLEIX HOUSE REVEALED A SCENE OF SMASHED ELECTRIC WIRE, FALLEN TREES AND DEBRIS-STREWN ROADS. INSIDE THE WALLED ESTATE POLICE FOUND A CHAIN THAT WAS USED TO SHORT-CIRCUIT HIGH VOLTAGE CABLES CARRYING POWER TO THE MANSION.

MEANWHILE, PRINCESS MARGARET AND LORD SNOWDON CONTINUED THEIR HOLIDAY TODAY SEEMINGLY UNDAUNTED BY LAT NIGHT'S INCIDENT. THEY DROVE TO LEIXLIP CASTLE, NEAR DUBLIN, TO LUNCH WITH FRIENDS AND LATER TOURED THE SURROUNDING COUNTRYSIDE. THE ROYAL COUPLE, HOWEVER, WERE ACCOMPANIED BY A BODYGUARD OF IRISH POLICE.

(INCIDENTS, INCLUDING TREE-FELLING ON ROADS LEADING TO BIRR CASTLE ON SUNDAY WHEN THE COUPLE ARRIVED AT THE START OF THEIR VISIT TO IRELAND, WERE BELIEVED ORGANISED BY THE OUTLAWED IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY (IRA) WHICH CAMPAIGNS FOR THE UNIFICATION OF ALL IRELAND.)