DRACONIAN STEPS TO CRUSH THE DISSIDENTS
Draconian' steps to crush the dissidents
Cabinet considered internment - Ahern
By Michael O'Toole
Dublin Correspondent
TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern last night unveiled the toughest security measures in the history of the state in the battle against dissident republicans - but stopped short of reintroducing internment.
The Fianna Fall leader conceded the tough new policy was "very stringent and hard" and "extremely draconian" but warned that, if necessary, Internment would be used against republicans such as the Real IRA.
Justice minister John O'Donoghue later told journalists that the government had seriously considered Introducing internment as a result of the Omagh bomb massacre last Saturday.
The government is also set to Introduce the offence of directing terrorism In an effort to catch the dissident republican godfathers of violence.
A clearly angry Mr Ahern emerged from a five-hour cabinet meeting In Dublin and vowed: "We will do everything In our power to crush violence.
"Atrocities like Omagh will never, never blunt the absolute determination of the people of this island to live together in peace."
The tough new legislative package will mean that suspects can be convicted of belonging to an illegal organisation if they refuse to answer questions, coupled with the belief of a Garda chief superintendent that he or she belongs to that group.
Up to now, a senior officer's suspicion has had to backed up by corroborative evidence produced In court.
The package was agreed by the special cabinet meeting and is set to be rushed through the Oireachtas within the next fortnight.
The new measures also include:
- limiting the right of silence for paramilitary suspects under questioning. Inference will be drawn from that refusal to answer questions
- extending the maximum period of detention under section 30 of the Offences against the State Act from 48 hours to 96 hours, with the authorisation of a district Judge.
A number of new offences are to be created under the Offences against the State acts of 1939 and 1985.
These Include:
- directing an unlawful organisation
- possessing items for purposes connected with specific firearms or explosives offences
- withholding information on offences
- unlawfully collecting information
- training persons in the making or use of firearms or explosives.
The offence of directing terrorism already exists in Northern Ireland and was used to convict loyalist leader Johnny 'Mad Dog' Adalr in 1995.
The penalty for belonging to a paramilitary group will stay at seven years.
The government will also introduce a law allowing property and land to be seized if there is a suspicion it is being used for committing an offence.
Mr Ahern said: The government is determined to do everything in our power, working closely with the British government, to defeat and suppress this murderous conspiracy against the people of Ireland.
The democratic will of the people will be upheld and respected. What we want to hear from them and other dissident groups is that there will be no more Omaghs, no more Banbridges, no more Moiras, no more grieving families, women and children scarred, disfigured and maimed by their instruments of destruction.
They must assure us the violence is over so that the clearly expressed will of the people of this island, north and south, which has been expressed so resoundingly only a few months ago, can prevail without the barriers which a tiny minority have sought to put in its way by its inhuman campaign of violence and destruction.
"The government believes that, taken together with existing arrangements and new measures by the RUC, security along the border will be significantly enhanced."
Referring to the possibility of Internment, Mr Ahern said: "While it remains an option, what we are doing now is judged to be the most effective way of dealing with the current situation.
"Internment, as experience has shown, has potential drawbacks which we cannot overlook.
"Having said that, however, I want to emphasise that the option remains and it is an option which the government will avail of should that be judged the right course of action."
The new package was welcomed last night by Democratic Left and Labour in the Republic.
But Sinn Fein TD Caolmghln O'Caolaln said the introduction of "such draconian measures" was not the way forward.He called for a strengthening of the peace process.
Cabinet considered internment - Ahern
By Michael O'Toole
Dublin Correspondent
TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern last night unveiled the toughest security measures in the history of the state in the battle against dissident republicans - but stopped short of reintroducing internment.
The Fianna Fall leader conceded the tough new policy was "very stringent and hard" and "extremely draconian" but warned that, if necessary, Internment would be used against republicans such as the Real IRA.
Justice minister John O'Donoghue later told journalists that the government had seriously considered Introducing internment as a result of the Omagh bomb massacre last Saturday.
The government is also set to Introduce the offence of directing terrorism In an effort to catch the dissident republican godfathers of violence.
A clearly angry Mr Ahern emerged from a five-hour cabinet meeting In Dublin and vowed: "We will do everything In our power to crush violence.
"Atrocities like Omagh will never, never blunt the absolute determination of the people of this island to live together in peace."
The tough new legislative package will mean that suspects can be convicted of belonging to an illegal organisation if they refuse to answer questions, coupled with the belief of a Garda chief superintendent that he or she belongs to that group.
Up to now, a senior officer's suspicion has had to backed up by corroborative evidence produced In court.
The package was agreed by the special cabinet meeting and is set to be rushed through the Oireachtas within the next fortnight.
The new measures also include:
- limiting the right of silence for paramilitary suspects under questioning. Inference will be drawn from that refusal to answer questions
- extending the maximum period of detention under section 30 of the Offences against the State Act from 48 hours to 96 hours, with the authorisation of a district Judge.
A number of new offences are to be created under the Offences against the State acts of 1939 and 1985.
These Include:
- directing an unlawful organisation
- possessing items for purposes connected with specific firearms or explosives offences
- withholding information on offences
- unlawfully collecting information
- training persons in the making or use of firearms or explosives.
The offence of directing terrorism already exists in Northern Ireland and was used to convict loyalist leader Johnny 'Mad Dog' Adalr in 1995.
The penalty for belonging to a paramilitary group will stay at seven years.
The government will also introduce a law allowing property and land to be seized if there is a suspicion it is being used for committing an offence.
Mr Ahern said: The government is determined to do everything in our power, working closely with the British government, to defeat and suppress this murderous conspiracy against the people of Ireland.
The democratic will of the people will be upheld and respected. What we want to hear from them and other dissident groups is that there will be no more Omaghs, no more Banbridges, no more Moiras, no more grieving families, women and children scarred, disfigured and maimed by their instruments of destruction.
They must assure us the violence is over so that the clearly expressed will of the people of this island, north and south, which has been expressed so resoundingly only a few months ago, can prevail without the barriers which a tiny minority have sought to put in its way by its inhuman campaign of violence and destruction.
"The government believes that, taken together with existing arrangements and new measures by the RUC, security along the border will be significantly enhanced."
Referring to the possibility of Internment, Mr Ahern said: "While it remains an option, what we are doing now is judged to be the most effective way of dealing with the current situation.
"Internment, as experience has shown, has potential drawbacks which we cannot overlook.
"Having said that, however, I want to emphasise that the option remains and it is an option which the government will avail of should that be judged the right course of action."
The new package was welcomed last night by Democratic Left and Labour in the Republic.
But Sinn Fein TD Caolmghln O'Caolaln said the introduction of "such draconian measures" was not the way forward.He called for a strengthening of the peace process.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0100
Published Date: 20-Aug-98
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