BRITISH CAUGHT BY SURPRISE AT TOUGH MEASURES
British caught by surprise at tough measures
By TOM BRADY Security Editor
THE Government yesterday took the initiative in cracking down on the Omagh Bombers and Ministers are now hoping for a similar response from the British.
The ferocity of the measures approved by the Cabinet at a four-hour meeting yesterday caught the British by surprise and North Secretary Mo Mowlam last night admitted she was now considering changes similar to those contained in the Dublin package.
Justice Minister John O'Donoghue, who presented the plan to the Cabinet, later spelled out the Government's view when he said Ministers had the stark choice between internment and the toughest set of anti-terrorist measures in the history of the state.
The legislative review which led to the package had already been initiated three weeks ago in response to the threat posed by the subversive group who at that stage had been foiled by the Garda in nine attempts to mount vicious bombing attacks in either the North or Britain.
Apart from the amendments to the law due to be approved by the recalled Dail and Seanad in a fortnight, the Cabinet yesterday also sanctioned additional resources for the Garda. A Security review headed by Garda Commissioner Pat Byrne in conjunction with RUC Chief Constable Ronnie Flanagan will result in additional operational measures.
The main players in the terror groups are currently under round-the-clock surveillance which has disrupted their network and placed them under extreme pressure to disband.
The Government's package also contains curbs on the right to silence for scheduled offences with a maximum sentence of at least five years. This would allow the court to draw inferences where an accused failed to mention particular facts to gardai during questioning and subsequently relied upon them in a court defence.
Further measures will mean confiscation of property, used for the purpose of committing or helping to commit an offence. There will be unlimited fines on convicted owners of "safe" houses.
By TOM BRADY Security Editor
THE Government yesterday took the initiative in cracking down on the Omagh Bombers and Ministers are now hoping for a similar response from the British.
The ferocity of the measures approved by the Cabinet at a four-hour meeting yesterday caught the British by surprise and North Secretary Mo Mowlam last night admitted she was now considering changes similar to those contained in the Dublin package.
Justice Minister John O'Donoghue, who presented the plan to the Cabinet, later spelled out the Government's view when he said Ministers had the stark choice between internment and the toughest set of anti-terrorist measures in the history of the state.
The legislative review which led to the package had already been initiated three weeks ago in response to the threat posed by the subversive group who at that stage had been foiled by the Garda in nine attempts to mount vicious bombing attacks in either the North or Britain.
Apart from the amendments to the law due to be approved by the recalled Dail and Seanad in a fortnight, the Cabinet yesterday also sanctioned additional resources for the Garda. A Security review headed by Garda Commissioner Pat Byrne in conjunction with RUC Chief Constable Ronnie Flanagan will result in additional operational measures.
The main players in the terror groups are currently under round-the-clock surveillance which has disrupted their network and placed them under extreme pressure to disband.
The Government's package also contains curbs on the right to silence for scheduled offences with a maximum sentence of at least five years. This would allow the court to draw inferences where an accused failed to mention particular facts to gardai during questioning and subsequently relied upon them in a court defence.
Further measures will mean confiscation of property, used for the purpose of committing or helping to commit an offence. There will be unlimited fines on convicted owners of "safe" houses.
Further Information
Publisher: IRISH INDEPENDENT
Ref: II/060
Published Date: 20-Aug-98
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