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Today in History: IRA bomb fails to assassinate Thatcher in Brighton

By Drooid · Oct 12, 2026, 10:33 AM UTC · How we work

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Summary

Story summary

On 12 October 1984 the Provisional Irish Republican Army bombed the Grand Hotel in Brighton, aiming to kill Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and her cabinet. The explosion killed five, including MP Sir Anthony Berry, injured over thirty, but left Thatcher unharmed. The attack marked a pivotal moment in the Northern Ireland Troubles.

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Story summary

On 12 October 1984 the Provisional Irish Republican Army bombed the Grand Hotel in Brighton, aiming to kill Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and her cabinet. The explosion killed five, including MP Sir Anthony Berry, injured over thirty, but left Thatcher unharmed. The attack marked a pivotal moment in the Northern Ireland Troubles.