In the early morning hours, the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) executed a carefully planned mortar attack on the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) station in Newry, a town with significant military and police presence during the Troubles. The attack involved multiple mortars fired at the police station, which led to extensive destruction and a tragic loss of life. Nine officers were killed in the explosion, making it one of the deadliest single attacks on police forces during this period of conflict. The success of the operation demonstrated the IRA's tactical capabilities and its commitment to its objectives of opposing British rule in Northern Ireland.

Newry was strategically important due to its location near the border with the Republic of Ireland, making it a focal point for both the IRA's operations and the British security response. The attack was part of a broader insurgency by the IRA, aimed at destabilizing the British administration in Northern Ireland and garnering support for a united Ireland. The incident drew widespread attention and condemnation, reshaping public perception of the ongoing conflict and intensifying security measures across the region.

In the aftermath, the British government increased its military presence and intensified operations against the IRA, leading to further violence and hostilities. This attack added to the growing tensions of the Troubles, contributing to a cycle of retaliatory violence that would characterize the conflict in the years to come.