REAL CASH DRIES UP
The Real cash dries up
WHILE Gerry Adams' most recent fundraising forays in the United States have been anchored by lavish dinners in plush New York hotels, the 32 County Sovereignty Committee began their efforts to lighten American pockets in a New York Irish bar.
It was last March, as the group linked to the Real IRA emerged as the main republican opponents to any peace agreement
As the Good Friday Agreement approached and the split between the Sovereignty Committee and Sinn Fein deepened into separate movements, it became clear that the dissidents would emulate their one-time fellow travellers.
There was, of course, the political unit embodied in the committee itself. And, in the background there emerged a paramilitary group, the Real
IRA. Links between the two groups were denied, but there is evidence of a relationship: members of the committee have been charged with explosives offences, and the Real IRA member killed by security forces was commemorated by the committee.
As well as the obvious parallels, the committee would also seek to raise funds in America.
After the Good Friday Agreement was agreed in April, Bernadette Sands McKevitt followed the path which Gerry Adams had already travelled frequently since being granted a visa four years ago - a road which has reputedly netted 2m dollars for Sinn Fein.
As the sister of IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands, the main spokeswoman for the 32 County Sovereignty Committee would carry special weight among republican supporters
Another familiar name was enlisted: New York lawyer Martin Galvin. one-time chief of Noraid, said he would raise money for dissident republican prisoners. Mr Galvin fell out with Noraid, later Friends of Sinn Fein, over approaches to the IRA ceasefire.
"I have always thought that the Irish people have a moral right to resist British rule," said Mr Galvin last month, saying it would be "very difficult" for him to condemn the Real IRA.
The Committee was clearly excited by the prospects for fundraising in America. Joe Dillon, their Press spokesman who is presently bailed on explosives charges, said they would be "asking the Yanks to dig deeper" than they had for Sinn Fein.
But the Sinn Fein machine in America is long established and well organised, and seems to have considerable influence among many Irish Americans.
Ms Sands McKevitt found it difficult to crack. No official figures for her fundraising efforts were available from American officials yesterday, but it is clear she fell short of the 100 dollar-a-head dinners that are becoming something of a staple for Gerry Adams.
She was forced to snipe at Sinn Fein on a New York radio programme, telling donors to "first satisfy themselves that they are not contributing to the maintenance of British rule in Ireland".
Then came Omagh. The backlash over the 28 murders - coming immediately after Americans were among those killed by car bombs in Africa - has been swift, sharp and severe.
The American State Department said: "Ms Sands McKevitt was in the US recently but her visa has been revoked and her application for a visa to return here will be denied.
"The 32 County Committee and the Real IRA will not be welcome in the US. We are sure there are no Americans who will support these people."
Martin Galvin clung to the notion that the Real IRA and 32 County Sovereignty were "totally separate", but recognised that his fundraising plans were on different ground.
"We are now looking at the whole situation," he said.
WHILE Gerry Adams' most recent fundraising forays in the United States have been anchored by lavish dinners in plush New York hotels, the 32 County Sovereignty Committee began their efforts to lighten American pockets in a New York Irish bar.
It was last March, as the group linked to the Real IRA emerged as the main republican opponents to any peace agreement
As the Good Friday Agreement approached and the split between the Sovereignty Committee and Sinn Fein deepened into separate movements, it became clear that the dissidents would emulate their one-time fellow travellers.
There was, of course, the political unit embodied in the committee itself. And, in the background there emerged a paramilitary group, the Real
IRA. Links between the two groups were denied, but there is evidence of a relationship: members of the committee have been charged with explosives offences, and the Real IRA member killed by security forces was commemorated by the committee.
As well as the obvious parallels, the committee would also seek to raise funds in America.
After the Good Friday Agreement was agreed in April, Bernadette Sands McKevitt followed the path which Gerry Adams had already travelled frequently since being granted a visa four years ago - a road which has reputedly netted 2m dollars for Sinn Fein.
As the sister of IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands, the main spokeswoman for the 32 County Sovereignty Committee would carry special weight among republican supporters
Another familiar name was enlisted: New York lawyer Martin Galvin. one-time chief of Noraid, said he would raise money for dissident republican prisoners. Mr Galvin fell out with Noraid, later Friends of Sinn Fein, over approaches to the IRA ceasefire.
"I have always thought that the Irish people have a moral right to resist British rule," said Mr Galvin last month, saying it would be "very difficult" for him to condemn the Real IRA.
The Committee was clearly excited by the prospects for fundraising in America. Joe Dillon, their Press spokesman who is presently bailed on explosives charges, said they would be "asking the Yanks to dig deeper" than they had for Sinn Fein.
But the Sinn Fein machine in America is long established and well organised, and seems to have considerable influence among many Irish Americans.
Ms Sands McKevitt found it difficult to crack. No official figures for her fundraising efforts were available from American officials yesterday, but it is clear she fell short of the 100 dollar-a-head dinners that are becoming something of a staple for Gerry Adams.
She was forced to snipe at Sinn Fein on a New York radio programme, telling donors to "first satisfy themselves that they are not contributing to the maintenance of British rule in Ireland".
Then came Omagh. The backlash over the 28 murders - coming immediately after Americans were among those killed by car bombs in Africa - has been swift, sharp and severe.
The American State Department said: "Ms Sands McKevitt was in the US recently but her visa has been revoked and her application for a visa to return here will be denied.
"The 32 County Committee and the Real IRA will not be welcome in the US. We are sure there are no Americans who will support these people."
Martin Galvin clung to the notion that the Real IRA and 32 County Sovereignty were "totally separate", but recognised that his fundraising plans were on different ground.
"We are now looking at the whole situation," he said.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0161
Published Date: 21-Aug-98
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