FOILED REAL IRA GANG TO BE FREED BY 2000
Foiled Real IRA gang 'to be freed by 2000'
By Michael O'Toole
Dublin Correspondent
THE Real IRA gang given seven and eight year sentences for a botched robbery in the Republic which left one dissident republican dead will be free by the year 2000 it was claimed yesterday.
Sources close to the Real IRA told the Irish News that there was an "understanding" with the Republic's government that if its ceasefire held, most prisoners connected with the dissident grouping would be freed by the start of the new millennium.
But the source conceded that any Real IRA members convicted of the Omagh atrocity which left 29 people dead last August would have to stay in prison.
A spokesman for the Dublin government last night said it was policy not to comment on statements from paramilitaries.
It is known however that there were intermediaries between the government and the Real IRA which led to that group's full cessation in September.
But claims that a deal had been brokered on the question of prisoners were being met with scepticism in official circles In Dublin last night.
The source close to the Real IRA however was adamant that any prisoners in the Republic would be freed by the year 2000 provided its ceasefire held.
He said its prisoners were "hostages" to ensure the continued ceasefire.
He also said he believed INLA prisoners in the Republic would also be freed by the year 2000 if their ceasefire held.
The five members of the Real IRA gang sentenced In the Dublin special criminal court last week were arrested by members of the elite Garda National Surveillance Unit on May 1 after a foiled raid on a security van in Ashford, Co Wlcklow.
One of the raiders, Ronan McLochlainn, was shot dead by a female garda after he raised a rifle at the officers.
The other gang members pleaded guilty to possession of firearms and ammunition.
They are currently the only convicted Real IRA members in the Republic.
By Michael O'Toole
Dublin Correspondent
THE Real IRA gang given seven and eight year sentences for a botched robbery in the Republic which left one dissident republican dead will be free by the year 2000 it was claimed yesterday.
Sources close to the Real IRA told the Irish News that there was an "understanding" with the Republic's government that if its ceasefire held, most prisoners connected with the dissident grouping would be freed by the start of the new millennium.
But the source conceded that any Real IRA members convicted of the Omagh atrocity which left 29 people dead last August would have to stay in prison.
A spokesman for the Dublin government last night said it was policy not to comment on statements from paramilitaries.
It is known however that there were intermediaries between the government and the Real IRA which led to that group's full cessation in September.
But claims that a deal had been brokered on the question of prisoners were being met with scepticism in official circles In Dublin last night.
The source close to the Real IRA however was adamant that any prisoners in the Republic would be freed by the year 2000 provided its ceasefire held.
He said its prisoners were "hostages" to ensure the continued ceasefire.
He also said he believed INLA prisoners in the Republic would also be freed by the year 2000 if their ceasefire held.
The five members of the Real IRA gang sentenced In the Dublin special criminal court last week were arrested by members of the elite Garda National Surveillance Unit on May 1 after a foiled raid on a security van in Ashford, Co Wlcklow.
One of the raiders, Ronan McLochlainn, was shot dead by a female garda after he raised a rifle at the officers.
The other gang members pleaded guilty to possession of firearms and ammunition.
They are currently the only convicted Real IRA members in the Republic.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0239
Published Date: 08-Dec-98
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