BOSSES OF REAL IRA IN CEASEFIRE DISPUTE
Bosses of Real IRA in ceasefire dispute
Faction backing terror campaign
By Michael Devine, in Dublin
A MAJOR battle was raging today within the top ranks of the dissident terror group, the so-called Real IRA, over whether to call a permament halt to its terror campaign.
Security sources believe a split between extreme hardliners and those who are in favour of a total cessation of violence is delaying an announcement of a permanent ceasefire.
The RIRA leader. the former quartermaster general of the Provisional IRA, is understood to be one of a small group of "hard men" who are opposed to calling off their reign of terror
He has the support of a small gang of hardliners based in South Armagh.
However, according to a senior Garda officer, he is becoming increasingly isolated. and has the support of only about 10 activists who want to resume their campaign which is aimed at undermining the Good Friday Agreement.
In the wake of the murder of the 28 people killed when the RIRA bombed Omagh, the organisation announced a temporary "suspension" of its violent activities and said it was reviewing future strategy.
The widspread revulsion at home and abroad provoked by the Omagh slaughter and the decision by the British and Irish goverments to enact tough anti-terror laws next week has persuaded a majority of the key figures in the RIRA that their campaign has no future.
At a meeting of a number of members of the leadership in Co Clare earlier this week, a significant majority are understood to have expressed support for a total ceasefire.
The former PIRA quartermaster general and some of his main supporters were not at that meeting.
The pro-ceasefire group are now trying desperately to persuade them to agree to a complete cessation of violence and disbandment of the organisation.
An Irish Government source said today that irrespective of any RIRA ceasefire announcement the stringent anti-terror legislation would be introduced next week.
Faction backing terror campaign
By Michael Devine, in Dublin
A MAJOR battle was raging today within the top ranks of the dissident terror group, the so-called Real IRA, over whether to call a permament halt to its terror campaign.
Security sources believe a split between extreme hardliners and those who are in favour of a total cessation of violence is delaying an announcement of a permanent ceasefire.
The RIRA leader. the former quartermaster general of the Provisional IRA, is understood to be one of a small group of "hard men" who are opposed to calling off their reign of terror
He has the support of a small gang of hardliners based in South Armagh.
However, according to a senior Garda officer, he is becoming increasingly isolated. and has the support of only about 10 activists who want to resume their campaign which is aimed at undermining the Good Friday Agreement.
In the wake of the murder of the 28 people killed when the RIRA bombed Omagh, the organisation announced a temporary "suspension" of its violent activities and said it was reviewing future strategy.
The widspread revulsion at home and abroad provoked by the Omagh slaughter and the decision by the British and Irish goverments to enact tough anti-terror laws next week has persuaded a majority of the key figures in the RIRA that their campaign has no future.
At a meeting of a number of members of the leadership in Co Clare earlier this week, a significant majority are understood to have expressed support for a total ceasefire.
The former PIRA quartermaster general and some of his main supporters were not at that meeting.
The pro-ceasefire group are now trying desperately to persuade them to agree to a complete cessation of violence and disbandment of the organisation.
An Irish Government source said today that irrespective of any RIRA ceasefire announcement the stringent anti-terror legislation would be introduced next week.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0302
Published Date: 28-Aug-98
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