ANOTHER TOWN MAY FACE ATTACK
Another town may face attack'
By Noel McAdam
UNIONIST politicians today voiced fears of another Omagh atrocity in the near future, despite the suspension of operations by the Real IRA.
And they claimed police had intelligence on the likelihood of a bomb attack on a major town for a number of days before last Saturday's bomb.
Security Minister Adam Ingram was also criticised for failing to return to the province since the atrocity.
Unionists claimed security sources have warned more that dissident republicans are joining the Real IRA, which could have up to 150 members.
Ulster Unionist honorary secretary Jim Rodgers said: "I understand there are fears among security chiefs of another major attack on another town within weeks if not days.
"It is a frightening scenario, since I am told that a lot of dissident republicans are joining this Real IRA group and it may be bigger than reports have said - up to 150, I understand."
He added: "I am an admirer of Adam Ingram, who I believe is on holiday, but I am at a loss to know why he has not come back to, deal with his crisis. He should have been here.
"The increasing firebomb attacks in Belfast are also a deeply disturbing development. Shops have closed and the city cannot afford that."
DUP justice spokesman on Ian Paisley Jnr said the RUC had been aware that from August 11 there was going to be an attack on a major town in Northern Ireland.
Citing a senior police officer as his source, he said: "At the same time, the border was out of bounds for Divisional Mobile Support Units.
"Given that Northern Ireland has suffered its worst atrocity, the prisoner release scheme at the very least ought to be put on hold."
Party colleague. Assembly member Oliver Gibson, who lost a niece in the Omagh bombing, said he believed new members have already been recruited for the Real IRA.
He said republican prisoners could sign all the documents required to obtain release under the Government's scheme, and then join the organisation.
By Noel McAdam
UNIONIST politicians today voiced fears of another Omagh atrocity in the near future, despite the suspension of operations by the Real IRA.
And they claimed police had intelligence on the likelihood of a bomb attack on a major town for a number of days before last Saturday's bomb.
Security Minister Adam Ingram was also criticised for failing to return to the province since the atrocity.
Unionists claimed security sources have warned more that dissident republicans are joining the Real IRA, which could have up to 150 members.
Ulster Unionist honorary secretary Jim Rodgers said: "I understand there are fears among security chiefs of another major attack on another town within weeks if not days.
"It is a frightening scenario, since I am told that a lot of dissident republicans are joining this Real IRA group and it may be bigger than reports have said - up to 150, I understand."
He added: "I am an admirer of Adam Ingram, who I believe is on holiday, but I am at a loss to know why he has not come back to, deal with his crisis. He should have been here.
"The increasing firebomb attacks in Belfast are also a deeply disturbing development. Shops have closed and the city cannot afford that."
DUP justice spokesman on Ian Paisley Jnr said the RUC had been aware that from August 11 there was going to be an attack on a major town in Northern Ireland.
Citing a senior police officer as his source, he said: "At the same time, the border was out of bounds for Divisional Mobile Support Units.
"Given that Northern Ireland has suffered its worst atrocity, the prisoner release scheme at the very least ought to be put on hold."
Party colleague. Assembly member Oliver Gibson, who lost a niece in the Omagh bombing, said he believed new members have already been recruited for the Real IRA.
He said republican prisoners could sign all the documents required to obtain release under the Government's scheme, and then join the organisation.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0104
Published Date: 20-Aug-98
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