REAL IRA IN DISARRAY AS PURGE LOOMS
Real IRA' in disarray as purge looms
By TOM BRADY, Security Editor
KEY terrorist dissidents in favour of a total ceasefire by the self-styled Oglaigh na hEireann were last night attempting to secure the approval of the entire leadership of the organisation responsible for the Omagh bombing.
A tiny minority of the republican splinter group opposes the move but it includes a number of formidable figures, among them the gang leader, the former quartermaster general of the Provisional IRA.
An announcement of a cessation of violence is imminent following a decision of the majority of the leadership at a secret meeting in Co Clare this week that the organisation's terror strategy had no future in the wake of the Omagh atrocity.
A huge public backlash against known members of the group, combined with the fear of arrests when tough new legislation is enacted by the Dail and British parliament next week, has forced the group to end its reign of terror.
INTENSIVE SURVEILLANCE
The organisation is now known to be in complete disarray as leading figures try to distance themselves from the Omagh massacre and intensive surveillance by Gardai and the RUC has added to the pressure on the activists.
Security advisers to the two Governments have said that a crackdown aimed at 25 to 30 activists who are controlling the terror campaign would end their operations finally.
Government Ministers are wary of the ceasefire announcement and the possibility that the militarists could regroup within a few months and form a new hardline organisation, if they are allowed to remain free.
Both Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and British Prime Minister Tony Blair are determined that, irrespective of a ceasefire declaration, the crackdown will go ahead as planned and senior Garda and RUC officers are preparing to move in on their targets.
The biggest problem is presented to the RUC who must hunt down the south Armagh section reckoned to be directly responsible for the Omagh bomb and, in particular, a former Provisional who is the main militarist operating in that region.
CAR THIEVES
Meanwhile, gardai in Monaghan last night were questioning three suspected car thieves about the Vauxhall Cavalier which was stolen in Carrickmacross and used in the Omagh bomb. But detectives said they had no evidence directly linking the men to the crime.
Gardai suspect that ordinary criminals were used by the terrorists to obtain cars for them and the men in custody are accused of being involved in a spate of car thefts in the region. The men, who include a Dubliner, were detained in a swoop near Spiddal, Connemara, on Wednesday night. The Spiddal group are also being quizzed about recent armed crime including a bank robbery.
By TOM BRADY, Security Editor
KEY terrorist dissidents in favour of a total ceasefire by the self-styled Oglaigh na hEireann were last night attempting to secure the approval of the entire leadership of the organisation responsible for the Omagh bombing.
A tiny minority of the republican splinter group opposes the move but it includes a number of formidable figures, among them the gang leader, the former quartermaster general of the Provisional IRA.
An announcement of a cessation of violence is imminent following a decision of the majority of the leadership at a secret meeting in Co Clare this week that the organisation's terror strategy had no future in the wake of the Omagh atrocity.
A huge public backlash against known members of the group, combined with the fear of arrests when tough new legislation is enacted by the Dail and British parliament next week, has forced the group to end its reign of terror.
INTENSIVE SURVEILLANCE
The organisation is now known to be in complete disarray as leading figures try to distance themselves from the Omagh massacre and intensive surveillance by Gardai and the RUC has added to the pressure on the activists.
Security advisers to the two Governments have said that a crackdown aimed at 25 to 30 activists who are controlling the terror campaign would end their operations finally.
Government Ministers are wary of the ceasefire announcement and the possibility that the militarists could regroup within a few months and form a new hardline organisation, if they are allowed to remain free.
Both Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and British Prime Minister Tony Blair are determined that, irrespective of a ceasefire declaration, the crackdown will go ahead as planned and senior Garda and RUC officers are preparing to move in on their targets.
The biggest problem is presented to the RUC who must hunt down the south Armagh section reckoned to be directly responsible for the Omagh bomb and, in particular, a former Provisional who is the main militarist operating in that region.
CAR THIEVES
Meanwhile, gardai in Monaghan last night were questioning three suspected car thieves about the Vauxhall Cavalier which was stolen in Carrickmacross and used in the Omagh bomb. But detectives said they had no evidence directly linking the men to the crime.
Gardai suspect that ordinary criminals were used by the terrorists to obtain cars for them and the men in custody are accused of being involved in a spate of car thefts in the region. The men, who include a Dubliner, were detained in a swoop near Spiddal, Connemara, on Wednesday night. The Spiddal group are also being quizzed about recent armed crime including a bank robbery.
Further Information
Publisher: IRISH INDEPENDENT
Ref: II/126
Published Date: 28-Aug-98
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