REAL IRA 'MAY DECLARE TRUCE'
Real IRA 'may declare truce'
By David Gordon
SPECULATION was growing today about a ceasefire statement from the Real IRA,
The organisation which carried out the Omagh bombing has been left reeling by Garda operations in the Republic in recent months.
Newspaper reports over the weekend suggested that it was preparing to announce a halt to its attacks in Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
The planned worldwide clampdown on terrorism in the wake of the atrocities in the US was cited as a key factor behind the ceasefire move.
But another major influence could be disarray within the Real IRA, following security service successes in the Republic.
According to the Irish Independent, the leadership of the dissident terrorist group has stood down its entire membership in the Dublin region because of internal rows over the identity of Garda "moles" among its volunteers.
About 30 of the terrorists, representing almost a quarter of its overall strength, are said to have been suspended from operations because of fears of more information "leaks". The report said that those who have stood down include the leader of the Real IRA's most active unit based in Dublin and other hardened activists currently living in north Dublin and CoKildare.
It also stated that the suspensions followed an internal inquiry by a closely knit group at the core of the organisation's leadership in the south Armagh-north Louth area.
A number of suspected leading members in the Real IRA are currently in the Republic's Portlaoise jail awaiting trial on terrorist charges.
The Real IRA officially declared a ceasefire following the Omagh bomb atrocity in August 1998.
But it has continued to launch terror attacks, including an attempt to murder RUC officers in Londonderry in a landmine blast earlier this month.
It also carried out two London bombings this year - at the BBC's headquarters in March, and in Ealing Broadway in August.
Weekend reports suggested that the Real IRA has re-established contact with the Taoiseach's office, following the US terror attacks on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon. It was also claimed that all the organisation's units have been ordered to cease activity and two sleeper units in Britain have been stood down until further notice.
The Real IRA was added to the USA's foreign terrorist organisation list in March, following a campaign by families of Omagh victims.
The designation was mentioned. by US Secretary of State Colin Powell in a BBC interview last week.
The senior America politician added: "Any organisation that is interested in terrorist operations, to overthrow legitimate or democratically elected government or government that represent the will of their people, is a threat."
By David Gordon
SPECULATION was growing today about a ceasefire statement from the Real IRA,
The organisation which carried out the Omagh bombing has been left reeling by Garda operations in the Republic in recent months.
Newspaper reports over the weekend suggested that it was preparing to announce a halt to its attacks in Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
The planned worldwide clampdown on terrorism in the wake of the atrocities in the US was cited as a key factor behind the ceasefire move.
But another major influence could be disarray within the Real IRA, following security service successes in the Republic.
According to the Irish Independent, the leadership of the dissident terrorist group has stood down its entire membership in the Dublin region because of internal rows over the identity of Garda "moles" among its volunteers.
About 30 of the terrorists, representing almost a quarter of its overall strength, are said to have been suspended from operations because of fears of more information "leaks". The report said that those who have stood down include the leader of the Real IRA's most active unit based in Dublin and other hardened activists currently living in north Dublin and CoKildare.
It also stated that the suspensions followed an internal inquiry by a closely knit group at the core of the organisation's leadership in the south Armagh-north Louth area.
A number of suspected leading members in the Real IRA are currently in the Republic's Portlaoise jail awaiting trial on terrorist charges.
The Real IRA officially declared a ceasefire following the Omagh bomb atrocity in August 1998.
But it has continued to launch terror attacks, including an attempt to murder RUC officers in Londonderry in a landmine blast earlier this month.
It also carried out two London bombings this year - at the BBC's headquarters in March, and in Ealing Broadway in August.
Weekend reports suggested that the Real IRA has re-established contact with the Taoiseach's office, following the US terror attacks on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon. It was also claimed that all the organisation's units have been ordered to cease activity and two sleeper units in Britain have been stood down until further notice.
The Real IRA was added to the USA's foreign terrorist organisation list in March, following a campaign by families of Omagh victims.
The designation was mentioned. by US Secretary of State Colin Powell in a BBC interview last week.
The senior America politician added: "Any organisation that is interested in terrorist operations, to overthrow legitimate or democratically elected government or government that represent the will of their people, is a threat."
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0785
Published Date: 24-Sep-01
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