REAL IRA THREATS PROMPT TIGHTER SECURITY
Real IRA threats prompt tighter security
by Ciaran O'Neill
Series of hoax bombs hit city traffic
SECURITY was today being stepped up around police and Army bases in Northern Ireland in the wake of a chilling new threat from the Real IRA.
The dissident republicans yesterday claimed responsibility for a weekend bomb attack on Castlederg police station and warned it was preparing to step up its campaign of terror.
The statement is being seen as evidence of a split within the Real IRA following the weekend call from prisoners affiliated to the group for it to disband.
In yesterday's statement, which was released with a recognised codeword to the Derry Journal newspaper, the terrorists warned civilians to stay away from security bases.
The Real IRA, which was also blamed for a number of hoax bomb alerts throughout the province yesterday, claimed anyone entering military installations would do so at "their own risk".
The bomb thrown over the wall of the Castlederg station on Saturday was packed with shrapnel but was made safe by a bomb disposal team.
The Derry/Donegal Real IRA unit which released yesterday's statement is regarded as one of the most dangerous in the dissident organisation and last August was responsible for the murder of workman David Caldwell who was killed in a bomb attack on a Territorial Army base in Derry.
Mr Caldwell's partner, Mavis McFaul, yesterday welcomed the weekend call from Real IRA prisoners in the Republic's Portlaoise jail for the group's leadership to stand down.
But yesterday's statement would appear to confirm that members of the Real IRA are intent on continuing their terror campaign.
Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden was one of 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins, killed in the Real IRA's attack on Omagh in August 1998, said he was not surprised at the threat of more violence.
"It is a clear message that they are going to continue killing innocent people," said Mr Gallagher.
CastleCourt Shopping Centre in Belfast was evacuated for several hours yesterday during one of the hoax bomb alerts.
Controlled explosions were also carried out on a suspect package left on a bus in Wellington Place.
There were also hoax alerts at Belfast International Airport, Omagh and Lurgan.
by Ciaran O'Neill
Series of hoax bombs hit city traffic
SECURITY was today being stepped up around police and Army bases in Northern Ireland in the wake of a chilling new threat from the Real IRA.
The dissident republicans yesterday claimed responsibility for a weekend bomb attack on Castlederg police station and warned it was preparing to step up its campaign of terror.
The statement is being seen as evidence of a split within the Real IRA following the weekend call from prisoners affiliated to the group for it to disband.
In yesterday's statement, which was released with a recognised codeword to the Derry Journal newspaper, the terrorists warned civilians to stay away from security bases.
The Real IRA, which was also blamed for a number of hoax bomb alerts throughout the province yesterday, claimed anyone entering military installations would do so at "their own risk".
The bomb thrown over the wall of the Castlederg station on Saturday was packed with shrapnel but was made safe by a bomb disposal team.
The Derry/Donegal Real IRA unit which released yesterday's statement is regarded as one of the most dangerous in the dissident organisation and last August was responsible for the murder of workman David Caldwell who was killed in a bomb attack on a Territorial Army base in Derry.
Mr Caldwell's partner, Mavis McFaul, yesterday welcomed the weekend call from Real IRA prisoners in the Republic's Portlaoise jail for the group's leadership to stand down.
But yesterday's statement would appear to confirm that members of the Real IRA are intent on continuing their terror campaign.
Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden was one of 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins, killed in the Real IRA's attack on Omagh in August 1998, said he was not surprised at the threat of more violence.
"It is a clear message that they are going to continue killing innocent people," said Mr Gallagher.
CastleCourt Shopping Centre in Belfast was evacuated for several hours yesterday during one of the hoax bomb alerts.
Controlled explosions were also carried out on a suspect package left on a bus in Wellington Place.
There were also hoax alerts at Belfast International Airport, Omagh and Lurgan.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0877
Published Date: 22-Oct-02
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