REAL IRA RALLIES FAITHFUL
Real IRA rallies faithful
AT A GLANCE...
The Real IRA in its first statement since it called a ceasefire appeared to apologise for the Omagh bombing but issued a veiled threat of a return to violence with a rallying call to dissidents
By Michael O'Toole
Dublin Correspondent
THE REAL IRA last night broke its silence for the first time since the Omagh atrocity and urged disaffected Provisionals to join them in opposing the Good Friday agreement.
The terror group, which killed 29 people in the August 15 1998 bombing of the Co Tyrone town, also appeared to apologise for the loss of life in the attack and said it was "incumbent" on its members to ensure the "safety of non combatants".
The security forces on both sides of the border have expressed concerns over the past year that the Real IRA -which calls itself Oglaigh na hEireann - was regrouping and preparing for a return to violence.
A lengthy statement, released yesterday afternoon made no reference to the organisation's 16-month ceasefire, but added: "Ireland unfree shall never be at peace."
But it ominously added: "We call on all volunteers loyal to the Irish Republic to unite and uphold the Republic and establish a permanent national parliament, representative of all the people.
"Your allegiance is to the republic, not to an elite clique, or corrupt treacherous administration."
It said: "Britain's rejection and continual usurpation of Irish sovereignty has caused bloody war, division and continued sorrow among the Irish people.
"Once again Britain has refused to accept the will of the Irish people and has chosen deception, manipulation and coercion to engineer a fraudulent pact to maintain its presence in Ireland."
And the statement acknowledged the terror group was responsible for the loss of innocent life - but said they could have been avoided but for the British presence in Northern Ireland.
It said: "It would be remiss of Oglaigh na hEireann to abdicate our responsibility for the many innocent lives that have been lost and injuries occurred as a consequence of the ongoing struggle for freedom in the past century.
"It is incumbent on all Volunteers to ensure the safety of non-combatants at all times.
"But for the British involvement in Ireland these tragedies could have been easily avoided.
"Peace, justice and equality can only come about as a result of the ending of British rule in Ireland."
AT A GLANCE...
The Real IRA in its first statement since it called a ceasefire appeared to apologise for the Omagh bombing but issued a veiled threat of a return to violence with a rallying call to dissidents
By Michael O'Toole
Dublin Correspondent
THE REAL IRA last night broke its silence for the first time since the Omagh atrocity and urged disaffected Provisionals to join them in opposing the Good Friday agreement.
The terror group, which killed 29 people in the August 15 1998 bombing of the Co Tyrone town, also appeared to apologise for the loss of life in the attack and said it was "incumbent" on its members to ensure the "safety of non combatants".
The security forces on both sides of the border have expressed concerns over the past year that the Real IRA -which calls itself Oglaigh na hEireann - was regrouping and preparing for a return to violence.
A lengthy statement, released yesterday afternoon made no reference to the organisation's 16-month ceasefire, but added: "Ireland unfree shall never be at peace."
But it ominously added: "We call on all volunteers loyal to the Irish Republic to unite and uphold the Republic and establish a permanent national parliament, representative of all the people.
"Your allegiance is to the republic, not to an elite clique, or corrupt treacherous administration."
It said: "Britain's rejection and continual usurpation of Irish sovereignty has caused bloody war, division and continued sorrow among the Irish people.
"Once again Britain has refused to accept the will of the Irish people and has chosen deception, manipulation and coercion to engineer a fraudulent pact to maintain its presence in Ireland."
And the statement acknowledged the terror group was responsible for the loss of innocent life - but said they could have been avoided but for the British presence in Northern Ireland.
It said: "It would be remiss of Oglaigh na hEireann to abdicate our responsibility for the many innocent lives that have been lost and injuries occurred as a consequence of the ongoing struggle for freedom in the past century.
"It is incumbent on all Volunteers to ensure the safety of non-combatants at all times.
"But for the British involvement in Ireland these tragedies could have been easily avoided.
"Peace, justice and equality can only come about as a result of the ending of British rule in Ireland."
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0337
Published Date: 21-Jan-00
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