THE REAL IRA
THE REAL IRA
YESTERDAY'S murder of 51-year-old David Caldwell is believed to be the first time the Real IRA has killed since they 1998 Omagh Bomb atrocity - the fourth anniversary of the explosion will be marked in just two weeks time.
Even before any paramilitary group had claimed responsibility for yesterday's murder, it was widely believed that the Real IRA was behind it.
The dissident republican group was formed in November 1997 by IRA members opposed to the peace process.
It was originally thought, to have been made up of the IRA's key, bomb makers along the border
On August 15 1998 it was responsible for the single biggest loss of life in the troubles when a car bomb exploded in Omagh killing 29 people and two unborn children.
In the eight months between its establishment and the Omagh bomb, it had carried out up to a dozen car-bomb and mortar attacks.
On August 18 the Real IRA admitted responsibility for Omagh and declared a "suspension" of its activities.
However, the group subsequently returned to violence in February 2000 with attacks in Northern Ireland and England. Between 2001/2002 the Real IRA was blamed for more than 27 explosions, booby traps and shootings.
Attacks in London included a bomb attack on Hammersmith Bridge, car bombs'at BBC and MI6 headquarters, bomb attacks on a north London postal depot and an explosion in Ealing.
The dissident group is believed to have suffered a number of setbacks: with key members being arrested and failed bids to import arms from eastern Europe. In recent months it was speculated that the group was in discussions with the Irish government over a possible ceasefire.
This group is thought to have been behind a series of bomb attacks against British army barracks in Derry.
In April 2000 the Real IRA was blamed for a bomb attack at Ebrington barracks. Five months later it was blamed for a bomb attack at an army depot at Magilligan. In February the Real IRA was blamed fora bomb attack at Magilligan in which a civilian worker was seriously injured. In April dissident republicans were blamed for a bomb attack oh a police trainee centre at Garnervilie in east Belfast.
In June a police recruit in Antrim escaped serious injury after a booby trap partially exploded under his car.
In July the group claimed responsibility for a bomb attack on a police car outside Downpatrick. Last week relatives of the Omagh victims served writs on five men believed to be linked to the dissident republican group.
Barry McCaffrey
YESTERDAY'S murder of 51-year-old David Caldwell is believed to be the first time the Real IRA has killed since they 1998 Omagh Bomb atrocity - the fourth anniversary of the explosion will be marked in just two weeks time.
Even before any paramilitary group had claimed responsibility for yesterday's murder, it was widely believed that the Real IRA was behind it.
The dissident republican group was formed in November 1997 by IRA members opposed to the peace process.
It was originally thought, to have been made up of the IRA's key, bomb makers along the border
On August 15 1998 it was responsible for the single biggest loss of life in the troubles when a car bomb exploded in Omagh killing 29 people and two unborn children.
In the eight months between its establishment and the Omagh bomb, it had carried out up to a dozen car-bomb and mortar attacks.
On August 18 the Real IRA admitted responsibility for Omagh and declared a "suspension" of its activities.
However, the group subsequently returned to violence in February 2000 with attacks in Northern Ireland and England. Between 2001/2002 the Real IRA was blamed for more than 27 explosions, booby traps and shootings.
Attacks in London included a bomb attack on Hammersmith Bridge, car bombs'at BBC and MI6 headquarters, bomb attacks on a north London postal depot and an explosion in Ealing.
The dissident group is believed to have suffered a number of setbacks: with key members being arrested and failed bids to import arms from eastern Europe. In recent months it was speculated that the group was in discussions with the Irish government over a possible ceasefire.
This group is thought to have been behind a series of bomb attacks against British army barracks in Derry.
In April 2000 the Real IRA was blamed for a bomb attack at Ebrington barracks. Five months later it was blamed for a bomb attack at an army depot at Magilligan. In February the Real IRA was blamed fora bomb attack at Magilligan in which a civilian worker was seriously injured. In April dissident republicans were blamed for a bomb attack oh a police trainee centre at Garnervilie in east Belfast.
In June a police recruit in Antrim escaped serious injury after a booby trap partially exploded under his car.
In July the group claimed responsibility for a bomb attack on a police car outside Downpatrick. Last week relatives of the Omagh victims served writs on five men believed to be linked to the dissident republican group.
Barry McCaffrey
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0567
Published Date: 02-Aug-02
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