Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
24 year old Constable David Hanson was killed by a large landmine explosion (approximately 300 lbs of explosives) detonated from high ground while on a foot patrol near Crossmaglen, County Armagh.
The attack occurred around 10:20 AM, just three hours before the signing of the Anglo-Irish Agreement by Prime Ministers Margaret Thatcher and Garret Fitzgerald.
Reactions: Margaret Thatcher mentioned the attack in her speech, noting the irony that a young policeman was killed on the same day she met with the Irish Prime Minister to discuss breaking the cycle of violence.
Hanson was a Protestant from Lisburn, Co Antrim, who joined the RUC in 1983. A second officer was seriously injured in the same explosion.
24 year old Constable David Hanson was killed by a large landmine explosion (approximately 300 lbs of explosives) detonated from high ground while on a foot patrol near Crossmaglen, County Armagh.
The attack occurred around 10:20 AM, just three hours before the signing of the Anglo-Irish Agreement by Prime Ministers Margaret Thatcher and Garret Fitzgerald.
Reactions: Margaret Thatcher mentioned the attack in her speech, noting the irony that a young policeman was killed on the same day she met with the Irish Prime Minister to discuss breaking the cycle of violence.
Hanson was a Protestant from Lisburn, Co Antrim, who joined the RUC in 1983. A second officer was seriously injured in the same explosion.
