UNITED PUSH FORCED RENEGADES HAND
United push forward renegades' hand
THE decision of the leadership of the self styled Oglaigh na hEireann, or Real IRA, to declare a permanent ceasefire was not unexpected in Government circles.
Security advisers to Taoiseach Bertie Ahern were aware from early on Monday evening that the six members of the Real IRA's army council were due to meet in a house in north Louth that night.
And they were quite confident that a decision on a complete cessation of violence would be taken and probably announced by midnight. The announcement was made shortly after the anticipated time.
Direct and indirect contacts between the Real IRA and their political lobby group, the 32 County Sovereignty Committee and intermediaries acting on behalf of the Irish and British governments had been stepped up in the previous week.
Government sources have been anxious to play down the speculation about regular contact with such an extreme terrorist group and it is true that the Taoiseach's principal Northern adviser, Dr Martin Mansergh, was not directly involved in the links with the paramilitaries.
But it is equally true that he was playing an active part in the background while the main intermediary in the frontline was the Belfast priest Father Alex Reid who is trusted and respected on all sides.
Fr Reid had played a key role in negotiations with other paramilitary organisations in the past and was regarded as a credible figure who could deliver on any promises he might offer.
The four key people at the crucial Louth meeting were the group's acting chief of staff, who is a former quartermaster of the Provisional IRA, a Dubliner from Inchicore who was the former IRA head of engineering, a convicted IRA activist from Cork city and a Derry hardliner who has been living for years in Ballybrack, Co Dublin.
Also present at the meeting were a veteran republican from north Co Dublin and an ex-regional quartermaster from Tipperary but now living in Fermoy, Co Cork. The six men reached their decision against a background of increasing pressure from:
(i) The legislative crackdown ordered by the Irish and British governments,
(ii) Intense surveillance by the Garda and RUC;
(iii) A withdrawal of the small percentage of public support and sympathy that had existed towards the terrorists before Omagh;
(iv) Visits to the homes of the key activists by members of the Provisional IRA.
Their public announcement in the early hours of yesterday did not, significantly, include a promise to disband and the Government and their security advisers are reluctant to become too enthusiastic about the declaration until they see the next move by the Real IRA leadership.
It has also not gone unnoticed that there has been no indication from the 32 County Sovereignty Committee that it will wind down its activities. Monday night's decision is only one step, although a substantial one, on the road to peace.
THE decision of the leadership of the self styled Oglaigh na hEireann, or Real IRA, to declare a permanent ceasefire was not unexpected in Government circles.
Security advisers to Taoiseach Bertie Ahern were aware from early on Monday evening that the six members of the Real IRA's army council were due to meet in a house in north Louth that night.
And they were quite confident that a decision on a complete cessation of violence would be taken and probably announced by midnight. The announcement was made shortly after the anticipated time.
Direct and indirect contacts between the Real IRA and their political lobby group, the 32 County Sovereignty Committee and intermediaries acting on behalf of the Irish and British governments had been stepped up in the previous week.
Government sources have been anxious to play down the speculation about regular contact with such an extreme terrorist group and it is true that the Taoiseach's principal Northern adviser, Dr Martin Mansergh, was not directly involved in the links with the paramilitaries.
But it is equally true that he was playing an active part in the background while the main intermediary in the frontline was the Belfast priest Father Alex Reid who is trusted and respected on all sides.
Fr Reid had played a key role in negotiations with other paramilitary organisations in the past and was regarded as a credible figure who could deliver on any promises he might offer.
The four key people at the crucial Louth meeting were the group's acting chief of staff, who is a former quartermaster of the Provisional IRA, a Dubliner from Inchicore who was the former IRA head of engineering, a convicted IRA activist from Cork city and a Derry hardliner who has been living for years in Ballybrack, Co Dublin.
Also present at the meeting were a veteran republican from north Co Dublin and an ex-regional quartermaster from Tipperary but now living in Fermoy, Co Cork. The six men reached their decision against a background of increasing pressure from:
(i) The legislative crackdown ordered by the Irish and British governments,
(ii) Intense surveillance by the Garda and RUC;
(iii) A withdrawal of the small percentage of public support and sympathy that had existed towards the terrorists before Omagh;
(iv) Visits to the homes of the key activists by members of the Provisional IRA.
Their public announcement in the early hours of yesterday did not, significantly, include a promise to disband and the Government and their security advisers are reluctant to become too enthusiastic about the declaration until they see the next move by the Real IRA leadership.
It has also not gone unnoticed that there has been no indication from the 32 County Sovereignty Committee that it will wind down its activities. Monday night's decision is only one step, although a substantial one, on the road to peace.
Further Information
Publisher: IRISH INDEPENDENT
Ref: II/145
Published Date: 09-Sep-98
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