The contacts did not at first result in a reduction of IRA violence. In the autumn of 1974 the IRA maintained a concerted campaign not just in Northern Ireland but also in England with a number of bombings which were to have lengthy legal sequels. Explosions at bars in Birmingham killed 21 people and injured almost 200 more, while 7 people died in the bombings of pubs in Guildford and Woolwich. While the IRA inflicted much damage on people and property it also suffered numerous casualties. By the beginning of 1974, almost 150 of its members had been killed, and hundreds more were behind bars.
