NORTHERN IRELAND: ENNISKILLEN: BOMB ATTACK SCARES OFF TOURISTS

(21 Jul 1996) English/Nat
One week ago on Sunday - July 14 - the picturesque town of Enniskillen in Northern Ireland was rocked by a massive bomb.
The blast destroyed the front of one of the town's most beautiful hotels and damaged the tourist industry.
It is thought the terrorist attack was launched on this town because it would scare off the foreign visitors who normally flock to there in the summer.
There are few places in the world as tranquil and lush as Enniskillen, which sprouts up between two large lakes with the river Erne running round it.
There's plenty to see and do in the County Fermanagh town.
It boasts historical sights such as the fifteenth century Enniskillen castle which was formerly home to Gaelic chieftains.
It's possibly most famous for its water sports - everything from rowing boats to vast cruisers can be rented for an idyllic holiday.
The tourist centre is run by Charlotte Wilson, who unsurprisingly plays down the impact of the bomb on scaring off the tourist trade.
But she admits it has caused a dip in the numbers passing through her office.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Usually at this time of the year we would have about 600 visitors through the doors of our tourist information centre every day. In the last week or so the figures have dropped slightly, we may have for example instead of 600 around 450, 500."
SUPER CAPTION: Charlotte Wilson, Manager, Tourist Information Centre
No-one has yet claimed responsibility for the bomb at the Killyhevlin Hotel which injured 17 people. l
The Irish Republican Army have denied they were behind it.
What is certain is that it has sent a chill up the spine of locals who once again have to contend with the horror of violence erupting on their doorstep.
They dread the effect on business and the prospect of jobs being lost.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I can just see loads of people out of work for a start, severe loss of business, severe loss of money for the community, severe loss of jobs even in spin off areas - suppliers will obviously be put down as well and it's just real bad - completely bad."
SUPER CAPTION: James Ownes, Waiter
One of the town's best known pubs is William Blake's, now run by his son Donal.
It is a favourite for a rich pint of Guinness beer, which traditionally has a shamrock traced out in its thick foam.
It too has felt the effect of the bombing.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"It has a depressing effect on people. Those coming in across the border and from England and America have stopped coming - not completely but it's certainly has closed down dramatically sales and slowed down the business generally and there's certainly a depression around the town you know."
SUPER CAPTION: Donal Blake, Owner, William Blake's Pub
It seems strange to those tourists currently visiting the town that such an act of violence could be perpetrated in this seemingly tranquil, friendly community.
A couple of Australians who decided to come when all was peaceful in Northern Ireland have seen sights they did not expect when they left home.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Police officers in bullet proof vests is something you don't normally see in Adelaide. Any sort of riot like that would be quashed immediately, so it was a bit scary. I wanted to take pictures of course. You jump out of the car, you take a picture, jump into the car and drive off quickly so it was frightening."
SUPER CAPTION: David Hill, Australian Tourist
SOUNDBITE: (English)
SUPER CAPTION: Trudy Hill, Australian Tourist
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