REAL IRA 'DISBAND' CALLS ARE WELCOMED
Real IRA 'disband' calls are welcomed
By Sarah Brett and Tom Brady
THE partner of the Real IRA's last victim today welcomed calls from leading members of the terrorist group for it to disband.
Mavis McFaul, whose partner David Caldwell was killed in a Real IRA bomb attack on a Londonderry Army base in August, said she hoped the weekend statement by Real IRA prisoners in Port-laoise prison was genuine.
In the statement, the prisoners called on the Real IRA Army Council to stand down but security sources today claimed the shock move had more to do with securing prisoner releases than any desire for peace.
Ms McFaul said an end to paramilitary violence would provide some comfort for her family.
"I would hope this statement is genuine and I suppose it would help us come to terms with David's death in some way, but it is not going to bring back the Partner of last victim hopes move is genuine people which this group killed," she said.
Mr Caldwell, a construction worker, was killed on August 1 after he opened a lunchbox which contained a bomb at a TA base in Derry where he was working on a refurbishment scheme.
The 51 year-old father-of-four was the Real IRA's first victim since the Omagh bomb in 1998 which killed 29 people and two unborn twins.
Ms McFaul called on all paramilitaries to give up violence.
"It is not just the Real IRA that should disband," she said.
"All terrorist groups should disband and allow people to live in peace together."
The push by the Real IRA prisoners, including the organisation's reputed chief of staff, for an end to the violence has already led to a major split within the renegade group inside and outside the jail.
Three weeks ago it was revealed that the move had led to a row between the chief of staff and his former director of operations and 'number two', Liam Campbell.
The weekend statement will have little impact on a rump of hardliners who have taken control of the dissident group on the outside and are intent on continuing their campaign.
Concerning the Real IRA statement from Portlaoise Jail, one security source said today: "The motive for this announcement has more to do with getting out from behind cell bars than a genuine desire for peace.
"It may result in a smaller band of renegades out there carrying out terrorist acts, but intelligence indicates that the rump prepared to carry on contains a number of highly experienced and dangerous terrorists."
By Sarah Brett and Tom Brady
THE partner of the Real IRA's last victim today welcomed calls from leading members of the terrorist group for it to disband.
Mavis McFaul, whose partner David Caldwell was killed in a Real IRA bomb attack on a Londonderry Army base in August, said she hoped the weekend statement by Real IRA prisoners in Port-laoise prison was genuine.
In the statement, the prisoners called on the Real IRA Army Council to stand down but security sources today claimed the shock move had more to do with securing prisoner releases than any desire for peace.
Ms McFaul said an end to paramilitary violence would provide some comfort for her family.
"I would hope this statement is genuine and I suppose it would help us come to terms with David's death in some way, but it is not going to bring back the Partner of last victim hopes move is genuine people which this group killed," she said.
Mr Caldwell, a construction worker, was killed on August 1 after he opened a lunchbox which contained a bomb at a TA base in Derry where he was working on a refurbishment scheme.
The 51 year-old father-of-four was the Real IRA's first victim since the Omagh bomb in 1998 which killed 29 people and two unborn twins.
Ms McFaul called on all paramilitaries to give up violence.
"It is not just the Real IRA that should disband," she said.
"All terrorist groups should disband and allow people to live in peace together."
The push by the Real IRA prisoners, including the organisation's reputed chief of staff, for an end to the violence has already led to a major split within the renegade group inside and outside the jail.
Three weeks ago it was revealed that the move had led to a row between the chief of staff and his former director of operations and 'number two', Liam Campbell.
The weekend statement will have little impact on a rump of hardliners who have taken control of the dissident group on the outside and are intent on continuing their campaign.
Concerning the Real IRA statement from Portlaoise Jail, one security source said today: "The motive for this announcement has more to do with getting out from behind cell bars than a genuine desire for peace.
"It may result in a smaller band of renegades out there carrying out terrorist acts, but intelligence indicates that the rump prepared to carry on contains a number of highly experienced and dangerous terrorists."
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0876
Published Date: 21-Oct-02
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