IRA SET TO MOVE AGAINST DISSIDENTS
IRA set to mov against dissidents
By Chris Thornton
Security Correspondent
THE IRA appeared to be preparing a crackdown on dissidents today after admitting that some of its weapons had been stolen.
In a statement issued through An Phoblaeht/Republican News, the IRA said a small amount of weaponry had been "secretly misappropriated"' by people who defected from its ranks more than a year ago.
The IRA said it had recovered "some, but not all" of the weapons from the individuals concerned.
The frank admission confirmed what has previously been acknowledged privately by republican sources and supported by security force forensic evidence.
But the timing of the announcement led to speculation on why the Provisional decided to publicly acknowledge the theft.
Taking weapons is. considered to be one of the most serious breaches of IRA rules, on a par with passing information to the security forces. Under IRA rules the offence carries the death penalty.
However, the execution order must be ratified by IRA's army council.
In combination with other events, including the kidnapping of anti-Agreement republican Paddy Fox last week and a rise in beatings and shootings, there is some speculation that the IRA is engaged in a "house cleaning" operation in preparation for further moves in the peace process.
The assessment of its arms stocks does not appear to be any move closer to decommissioning, but appears to be geared towards silencing dissidents. They said the dissidents attempted to block the IRA investigation.
The defectors who left the IRA last year included the quartermaster general, who was in charge of the Provisionals' weaponry and went on to lead the Real IRA.
The Real IRA was known to have used Provisional IRA weapons, including Semtex to prime bombs. That group called a ceasefire after carrying out the Omagh bombing and being threatened by the Provos.
But there is also some suggestion that the Continuity IRA. which has not declared a ceasefire, also has some Provo weapons.
By Chris Thornton
Security Correspondent
THE IRA appeared to be preparing a crackdown on dissidents today after admitting that some of its weapons had been stolen.
In a statement issued through An Phoblaeht/Republican News, the IRA said a small amount of weaponry had been "secretly misappropriated"' by people who defected from its ranks more than a year ago.
The IRA said it had recovered "some, but not all" of the weapons from the individuals concerned.
The frank admission confirmed what has previously been acknowledged privately by republican sources and supported by security force forensic evidence.
But the timing of the announcement led to speculation on why the Provisional decided to publicly acknowledge the theft.
Taking weapons is. considered to be one of the most serious breaches of IRA rules, on a par with passing information to the security forces. Under IRA rules the offence carries the death penalty.
However, the execution order must be ratified by IRA's army council.
In combination with other events, including the kidnapping of anti-Agreement republican Paddy Fox last week and a rise in beatings and shootings, there is some speculation that the IRA is engaged in a "house cleaning" operation in preparation for further moves in the peace process.
The assessment of its arms stocks does not appear to be any move closer to decommissioning, but appears to be geared towards silencing dissidents. They said the dissidents attempted to block the IRA investigation.
The defectors who left the IRA last year included the quartermaster general, who was in charge of the Provisionals' weaponry and went on to lead the Real IRA.
The Real IRA was known to have used Provisional IRA weapons, including Semtex to prime bombs. That group called a ceasefire after carrying out the Omagh bombing and being threatened by the Provos.
But there is also some suggestion that the Continuity IRA. which has not declared a ceasefire, also has some Provo weapons.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0558
Published Date: 04-Feb-99
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