CRACKDOWN ON TERROR THROUGHOUT IRELAND
Crackdown on terror throughout island
By Una Bradley
A CRACKDOWN on dissident republicans has been outlined by the Government in the wake of the Omagh bomb.
The move follows last night's announcement by the Irish government that it is to extend its anti-terrorist legislation.
The tough new measures in the Republic include the scrapping of a suspect's right to silence in certain circumstances.
A tightening of security along the border was also announced after a special Cabinet meeting in Dublin.
Welcoming the development, the Secretary of State Mo Mowlam pledged a similar package of legal and security reforms in Ulster.
In particular, she hinted at measures which could help bring about convictions on the basis of membership of a terrorist organisation - such as the Real IRA.
"I am considering changes similar to those which the Irish government has announced to make it easier to prove membership.
"The details are still being worked out, as they are with the Irish, but I hope we can move quickly," she said.
The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said the emergency provisions had not been undertaken "lightly".
Under the new changes, the word of a senior police officer could help indict a suspected member of an illegal organisation.
Internment was rejected for the moment, but Mr Ahern stressed it was "still an option".
The leader of the Republic's main opposition party, John Bruton, welcomed the news but asked why no significant moves had been made before now to smash the Real IRA.
The Dail and Senate are to be recalled in two weeks time in a bid to push the measures through.
Meanwhile, Dr Mowlam has moved to assure the PUP that suspected members of the Real IRA will be kept under "constant scrutiny".
The loyalist party met the Secretary of State at Stormont yesterday.
Dr Mowlam said: "From what I said I hope they can now be confident in how the two governments will handle the security situation."
By Una Bradley
A CRACKDOWN on dissident republicans has been outlined by the Government in the wake of the Omagh bomb.
The move follows last night's announcement by the Irish government that it is to extend its anti-terrorist legislation.
The tough new measures in the Republic include the scrapping of a suspect's right to silence in certain circumstances.
A tightening of security along the border was also announced after a special Cabinet meeting in Dublin.
Welcoming the development, the Secretary of State Mo Mowlam pledged a similar package of legal and security reforms in Ulster.
In particular, she hinted at measures which could help bring about convictions on the basis of membership of a terrorist organisation - such as the Real IRA.
"I am considering changes similar to those which the Irish government has announced to make it easier to prove membership.
"The details are still being worked out, as they are with the Irish, but I hope we can move quickly," she said.
The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said the emergency provisions had not been undertaken "lightly".
Under the new changes, the word of a senior police officer could help indict a suspected member of an illegal organisation.
Internment was rejected for the moment, but Mr Ahern stressed it was "still an option".
The leader of the Republic's main opposition party, John Bruton, welcomed the news but asked why no significant moves had been made before now to smash the Real IRA.
The Dail and Senate are to be recalled in two weeks time in a bid to push the measures through.
Meanwhile, Dr Mowlam has moved to assure the PUP that suspected members of the Real IRA will be kept under "constant scrutiny".
The loyalist party met the Secretary of State at Stormont yesterday.
Dr Mowlam said: "From what I said I hope they can now be confident in how the two governments will handle the security situation."
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0106
Published Date: 20-Aug-98
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