FORCES DISCUSS SPLINTER GROUPS
Forces discuss splinter groups
By Michael O'Toole
SENIOR members of the Garda Siochana, RUC and Metropolitan Police met in Dublin early this week to assess the threat from republican splinter groups, it was confirmed yesterday.
A Garda spokesman said that Commissioner Pat Byrne briefed RUC Chief Constable Ronnie Flanagan and Assistant Commissioner David Veness - the Met's chief anti terrorist officer - on Tuesday, just hours after the Real IRA declared a ceasefire.
The men emphasised at the top level summit that the hunt for the Omagh bombers would continue and that they would not be deflected from their search by the decision of the Real IRA to declare a ceasefire.
Commissioner Byrne was accompanied by his two main security advisers, Deputy Commissioner Noel Conroy and Assistant Commissioner Pat O'Toole.
Recent intelligence compiled by special branch officers from the three forces was shared at the summit, especially on the threat posed by the Continuity IRA.
They also discussed fears that Real IRA members would defect to the Continuity IRA, the only paramilitary group in Ireland not to have declared a ceasefire.
Meanwhile, a 33-year-old Dubliner yesterday became the first to be charged under the tough new security measures introduced by the Republic.
Damian Galvin, from Malahide Road in the north of the city, was charged with stealing a car in Malahide in May.
Mr Galvin was charged in Dunleer district court in Co Louth. He was remanded on bail.
By Michael O'Toole
SENIOR members of the Garda Siochana, RUC and Metropolitan Police met in Dublin early this week to assess the threat from republican splinter groups, it was confirmed yesterday.
A Garda spokesman said that Commissioner Pat Byrne briefed RUC Chief Constable Ronnie Flanagan and Assistant Commissioner David Veness - the Met's chief anti terrorist officer - on Tuesday, just hours after the Real IRA declared a ceasefire.
The men emphasised at the top level summit that the hunt for the Omagh bombers would continue and that they would not be deflected from their search by the decision of the Real IRA to declare a ceasefire.
Commissioner Byrne was accompanied by his two main security advisers, Deputy Commissioner Noel Conroy and Assistant Commissioner Pat O'Toole.
Recent intelligence compiled by special branch officers from the three forces was shared at the summit, especially on the threat posed by the Continuity IRA.
They also discussed fears that Real IRA members would defect to the Continuity IRA, the only paramilitary group in Ireland not to have declared a ceasefire.
Meanwhile, a 33-year-old Dubliner yesterday became the first to be charged under the tough new security measures introduced by the Republic.
Damian Galvin, from Malahide Road in the north of the city, was charged with stealing a car in Malahide in May.
Mr Galvin was charged in Dunleer district court in Co Louth. He was remanded on bail.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0379
Published Date: 11-Sep-98
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