IRISH GOVERNMENT SET TO TURN SCREW ON REAL IRA
Irish government set to turn screw on Real IRA
By Jonathan Turner
THE Irish cabinet holds an emergency meeting today to finalise tough new security measures aimed at putting a stranglehold on the Real IRA.
The measures are widely regarded as going as far as the government can without introducing internment - though that has yet to be firmly ruled out.
But yesterday one party with links to loyalist paramilitaries suggested their ceasefire was under increasing pressure after Saturday's atrocity.
David Ervine of the PUP warned that elements within the UVF could potentially become "loose cannons" because of the attack.
"We have been an anchor and they (the UVF) have been on the hook of that anchor and I think they are extricating themselves off the hook which leaves them unfortunately as loose cannons," he told ITN.
"We have been the anchor into the democratic process.
"I think if they manage to fully unhook themselves from the Progressive Unionist Party that will not be good news."
Yesterday it appeared the plans being drawn up by the Irish government included a strong cross-border element to "ruthlessly repress" the activities of the dissident republicans who left 28 dead in Omagh on Saturday.
Northern Ireland's first minister David Trimble will meet Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in Dublin tonight to be briefed on the new measures.
The crackdown package will include significant changes to the Republic's Offences Against the State Act which will make it easier to convict and imprison paramilitaries.
Central to the proposals will be amendments to legislation outlawing membership of proscribed organisations.
It is understood the plans mean that if a Garda superintendent considers a suspect is a member of a paramilitary group, that should be enough to ensure imprisonment.
Tighter bail restrictions and new curbs on the right of silence are also likely to be considered.
The recommendations were being finalised yesterday after days of talks between Bertie Ahern, legal experts and the security forces following the Omagh attack.
Mr Ahern met Prime Minister Tony Blair in Northern Ireland on Sunday night, and they have discussed the moves twice during lengthy telephone calls.
Secretary of State Mo Mowlam has also met Irish Justice Minister John O'Donoghue for talks about the crackdown, as have RUC chief constable Ronnie Flanagan and Garda Siochana commissioner Pat Byrne.
By Jonathan Turner
THE Irish cabinet holds an emergency meeting today to finalise tough new security measures aimed at putting a stranglehold on the Real IRA.
The measures are widely regarded as going as far as the government can without introducing internment - though that has yet to be firmly ruled out.
But yesterday one party with links to loyalist paramilitaries suggested their ceasefire was under increasing pressure after Saturday's atrocity.
David Ervine of the PUP warned that elements within the UVF could potentially become "loose cannons" because of the attack.
"We have been an anchor and they (the UVF) have been on the hook of that anchor and I think they are extricating themselves off the hook which leaves them unfortunately as loose cannons," he told ITN.
"We have been the anchor into the democratic process.
"I think if they manage to fully unhook themselves from the Progressive Unionist Party that will not be good news."
Yesterday it appeared the plans being drawn up by the Irish government included a strong cross-border element to "ruthlessly repress" the activities of the dissident republicans who left 28 dead in Omagh on Saturday.
Northern Ireland's first minister David Trimble will meet Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in Dublin tonight to be briefed on the new measures.
The crackdown package will include significant changes to the Republic's Offences Against the State Act which will make it easier to convict and imprison paramilitaries.
Central to the proposals will be amendments to legislation outlawing membership of proscribed organisations.
It is understood the plans mean that if a Garda superintendent considers a suspect is a member of a paramilitary group, that should be enough to ensure imprisonment.
Tighter bail restrictions and new curbs on the right of silence are also likely to be considered.
The recommendations were being finalised yesterday after days of talks between Bertie Ahern, legal experts and the security forces following the Omagh attack.
Mr Ahern met Prime Minister Tony Blair in Northern Ireland on Sunday night, and they have discussed the moves twice during lengthy telephone calls.
Secretary of State Mo Mowlam has also met Irish Justice Minister John O'Donoghue for talks about the crackdown, as have RUC chief constable Ronnie Flanagan and Garda Siochana commissioner Pat Byrne.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0072
Published Date: 19-Aug-98
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