FRESH HOPES FOR PEACE ON A DAY OF DESPAIR
Fresh hopes for peace on a day of despair
By TOM BRADY. Security Editor
TWO of the three terror gangs opposed to the peace process are now on the brink of declaring a complete ceasefire.
The leadership of the main threat to peace, the self-styled Oglaigh na hEireann, is expected to meet shortly to issue another statement ending their campaign permanently.
It is understood that intense garda surveillance on the terrorist godfathers is forcing them to make indirect contacts to reach agreement on laying down their arms.
And Government security advisers have indicated the smaller INLA splinter group, which has forged a loose alliance with Oglaigh na hEireann, is likely to declare their total cessation of hostilities by the weekend.
This will leave the minor and almost defunct group, Continuity IRA, as the only organisation still in operation. Its political wing, Republican Sinn Fein, has already condemned the Omagh bombing.
All the groups were under extreme pressure last night after the Government approved the toughest set of anti-terrorist measures in the history of the State and security on both sides of the Border was stepped up significantly.
Additional Army patrols are now being deployed along the Border from Louth to Donegal at the request of the gardai and are operating as mobile support units to back up the Garda's main strike force, the emergency response unit.
Meanwhile, it was learned last night that one of the five new offences to be created as part of the Government package - directing an unlawful organisation - will carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
This offence is aimed specifically at the terror godfathers such as the former Provisional IRA quartermaster general, a north Louth businessman, who is now heading up Oglaigh na hEireann and a woman who is also a key figure in the outlawed organisation.
Another new offence - training persons in the making or use of firearms or explosives - may be used against the third "godfather'', the former Provisional head of engineering section who also defected. He is facing a maximum ten-year sentence if convicted.
The rest of the package, as disclosed in the Irish Independent yesterday, centres mainly on measures designed to ensure greater investigative powers for the gardai and more evidence available to Special Criminal Court judges to convict suspects.
A new offence of possessing items for purposes connected with specified firearms or explosive offences carries a maximum ten-year sentence.
Unlawfully collecting information has a five-year sentence as has withholding information about a scheduled offence.
The Government also decided to extend the maximum period of detention for a suspect held under the Offences Against the State from the current 48 hours to 72 hours on the authorisation of a district judge.
The proposed legislative amendments will now be drafted urgently and the Dail and Seanad will be recalled in a fortnight to pass the new Bills.
And last night Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble had top level talks in Dublin for the first time since becoming First Minister of the new Assembly.
A meeting with Taoiseach Bertie Ahern went ahead against what Mr Trimble called "the very sombre circumstance'' created by the Omagh bomb outrage.
But the Unionist chief was quick to point to the strong base provided for both sides by the Good Friday peace accord in dealing with the post-bombing position.
Mr Ahern detailed for Mr Trimble the security and law change package he unveiled earlier.
By TOM BRADY. Security Editor
TWO of the three terror gangs opposed to the peace process are now on the brink of declaring a complete ceasefire.
The leadership of the main threat to peace, the self-styled Oglaigh na hEireann, is expected to meet shortly to issue another statement ending their campaign permanently.
It is understood that intense garda surveillance on the terrorist godfathers is forcing them to make indirect contacts to reach agreement on laying down their arms.
And Government security advisers have indicated the smaller INLA splinter group, which has forged a loose alliance with Oglaigh na hEireann, is likely to declare their total cessation of hostilities by the weekend.
This will leave the minor and almost defunct group, Continuity IRA, as the only organisation still in operation. Its political wing, Republican Sinn Fein, has already condemned the Omagh bombing.
All the groups were under extreme pressure last night after the Government approved the toughest set of anti-terrorist measures in the history of the State and security on both sides of the Border was stepped up significantly.
Additional Army patrols are now being deployed along the Border from Louth to Donegal at the request of the gardai and are operating as mobile support units to back up the Garda's main strike force, the emergency response unit.
Meanwhile, it was learned last night that one of the five new offences to be created as part of the Government package - directing an unlawful organisation - will carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
This offence is aimed specifically at the terror godfathers such as the former Provisional IRA quartermaster general, a north Louth businessman, who is now heading up Oglaigh na hEireann and a woman who is also a key figure in the outlawed organisation.
Another new offence - training persons in the making or use of firearms or explosives - may be used against the third "godfather'', the former Provisional head of engineering section who also defected. He is facing a maximum ten-year sentence if convicted.
The rest of the package, as disclosed in the Irish Independent yesterday, centres mainly on measures designed to ensure greater investigative powers for the gardai and more evidence available to Special Criminal Court judges to convict suspects.
A new offence of possessing items for purposes connected with specified firearms or explosive offences carries a maximum ten-year sentence.
Unlawfully collecting information has a five-year sentence as has withholding information about a scheduled offence.
The Government also decided to extend the maximum period of detention for a suspect held under the Offences Against the State from the current 48 hours to 72 hours on the authorisation of a district judge.
The proposed legislative amendments will now be drafted urgently and the Dail and Seanad will be recalled in a fortnight to pass the new Bills.
And last night Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble had top level talks in Dublin for the first time since becoming First Minister of the new Assembly.
A meeting with Taoiseach Bertie Ahern went ahead against what Mr Trimble called "the very sombre circumstance'' created by the Omagh bomb outrage.
But the Unionist chief was quick to point to the strong base provided for both sides by the Good Friday peace accord in dealing with the post-bombing position.
Mr Ahern detailed for Mr Trimble the security and law change package he unveiled earlier.
Further Information
Publisher: IRISH INDEPENDENT
Ref: II/056
Published Date: 20-Aug-98
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