THE AUSTRALIAN government has issued a travel warning for Northern Ireland following three bomb attacks this month.
Two bombs were defused in Co Down on August 4th and 8th and a car bomb exploded outside a police station in Derry on the 3rd.
Australian travellers to the North are being warned of an increase in dissident activity, with visitors advised to avoid protests and demonstrations “as they may turn violent.”
The Australian department of foreign affairs and trade warned citizens of bomb attacks aimed at police and military targets saying “Australians could inadvertently be caught up in violence directed at others”.
The United States bureau of consular affairs said: “US citizens travelling to Northern Ireland should remain alert to their surroundings and should be aware that if they choose to visit potential flashpoints or attend parades, sporadic violence remains a possibility”.
The department of state warned travellers that demonstrations intended to be peaceful could turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence.
The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also warned its citizens about travelling to Northern Ireland saying the annual parades which occur during the period of April to August “have the potential to turn violent and we recommend you avoid them”.
A spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Tourist Board said: “Over recent years we have seen a huge increase in the number of visitors to Northern Ireland, and our feedback shows that the vast majority of those visitors see Northern Ireland as a safe and secure destination”.