The Claudy bombing occurred on 31 July 1972 when an independent IRA group in Claudy, County Londonderry bombed the main street of the town. Their warning was delayed due to phone lines being damaged by a previous attack, and 9 people were killed and 30 injured in the attack. The Provisional IRA denied responsibility for the attack, and PIRA leader Martin McGuinness claimed that the attack was horrific, having targeted innocent people.