TERROR GANG CEASEFIRE LIKELY SOON
Terror gang ceasefire likely 'soon'
By Michael Devine
IRISH government sources were today expecting an imminent declaration of a total ceasefire by the Real IRA terror gang which murdered 28 people in Omagh.
A statement from the dissident republican; making permanent the temporary ceasefire it announced in the wake of the slaughter was expected within 24 hours, according to political sources in Dublin.
But the expectation was tempered by a sceptical response from Garda chiefs about the prospect of a lasting ceasefire.
Speculation has been growing recently that the group would end its campaign of violence in the face of the anti-terrorist crackdown planned by the British and Irish governments and the backlash against the Omagh bomb.
Members of the terror gang and the 32-County Sovereignty Committee, who are both strongly opposed to the Good Friday Agreement, have been under increasing pressure from security forces on both sides of the border.
They have also been shunned by the communities in which they live. A number have left their homes and moved to the west of Ireland.
A round-up of the leaders of the Real IRA is expected to take place soon after both parliaments pass tough new anti-terror measures next week.
The dissidents are also understood to have been subjected to a number of death threats from the Provisional IRA, who back the Good Friday Agreement.
A group of senior Real IRA figures met in Co Clare last Tuesday night to consider then future and it is believed a majority were favoured calling a complete cessation to violent actions and disbanding the organisation.
Many of its members in the Republic are understood to be dismayed at the carnage caused in Omagh and the depth of public reaction and see no future for the organisation.
But security sources feel it is significant that the former Provisional IRA quartermaster general who split from that organisation a year ago and set up the Real IRA was not present at that meeting.
There are fears that the group may fragment and that the more extreme members based in south Armagh may rally round the leader and attempt to continue their violent campaign, aimed at wrecking the Agreement.
Before the Omagh atrocity, the Real IRA was responsible for bomb attacks on five other towns in Northern Ireland - Markethill, Moira, Portadown, Newtownhamilton and Banbridge.
By Michael Devine
IRISH government sources were today expecting an imminent declaration of a total ceasefire by the Real IRA terror gang which murdered 28 people in Omagh.
A statement from the dissident republican; making permanent the temporary ceasefire it announced in the wake of the slaughter was expected within 24 hours, according to political sources in Dublin.
But the expectation was tempered by a sceptical response from Garda chiefs about the prospect of a lasting ceasefire.
Speculation has been growing recently that the group would end its campaign of violence in the face of the anti-terrorist crackdown planned by the British and Irish governments and the backlash against the Omagh bomb.
Members of the terror gang and the 32-County Sovereignty Committee, who are both strongly opposed to the Good Friday Agreement, have been under increasing pressure from security forces on both sides of the border.
They have also been shunned by the communities in which they live. A number have left their homes and moved to the west of Ireland.
A round-up of the leaders of the Real IRA is expected to take place soon after both parliaments pass tough new anti-terror measures next week.
The dissidents are also understood to have been subjected to a number of death threats from the Provisional IRA, who back the Good Friday Agreement.
A group of senior Real IRA figures met in Co Clare last Tuesday night to consider then future and it is believed a majority were favoured calling a complete cessation to violent actions and disbanding the organisation.
Many of its members in the Republic are understood to be dismayed at the carnage caused in Omagh and the depth of public reaction and see no future for the organisation.
But security sources feel it is significant that the former Provisional IRA quartermaster general who split from that organisation a year ago and set up the Real IRA was not present at that meeting.
There are fears that the group may fragment and that the more extreme members based in south Armagh may rally round the leader and attempt to continue their violent campaign, aimed at wrecking the Agreement.
Before the Omagh atrocity, the Real IRA was responsible for bomb attacks on five other towns in Northern Ireland - Markethill, Moira, Portadown, Newtownhamilton and Banbridge.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0286
Published Date: 27-Aug-98
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