THE REAL IRA
The Real IRA
THE Real IRA was founded by a hardcore group of republicans disenchanted with the decision of Provisional IRA leaders to pursue a political solution to the Northern Ireland troubles.
RIRA leader Michael McKevitt and the man thought to be his second-in-command Liam Campbell are alleged to have run the dissident group from Dundalk.
In 1997, many believed that the RIRA, linked to the 32 County Sovereignty Movement, would have little impact on the Northern Ireland peace process.
A number of low key attacks caused a stir among the security forces but it was not until August 15,1998, that the group created Shockwaves after a 500lb car bomb exploded in Omagh, killing 29 people and two unborn babies.
The grim images from the Omagh bomb site, with the worst death toll since the 1974 Dublin and Monaghan bombs, sparked an outcry and calls for a decisive crackdown on the dissidents responsible.
With tough new legislation planned by both the British and Irish government, increasing police powers to tackle terror groups, the RIRA leadership announced its decision to suspend its campaign of violence three days after the Omagh attack. A month later, the group called a permanent ceasefire and it was reported that the Provisionals had visited RIRA members and demanded that they disband.
A joint RUC/Garda investigation into the attack was launched with thousands of statements taken. But while the names of those responsible for the atrocity were known, no charges were brought in the months after the bomb.
By the following summer, RIRA members once again became active and were blamed for massive bomb found in Co Donegal.
In an interview with the Irish News, Garda Commissioner Pat Byrne admitted his frustration that those responsible for the Omagh bomb had not been charged two years after the blast.
The US government took a decisive step to inflict major damage on the RIRA when it outlawed the organisation in May 2001.
Colin Powell, US secretary of state, officially declared the dissidents "a foreign terrorist organisation", making it illegal to fundraise or provide material support for the group.
Relatives of those killed in Omagh welcomed the move and three months later launched an unprecedented legal action against the Real IRA and five named individuals.
They are:
Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt, who has been convicted of directing terrorism
Liam Campbell, serving a sentence in the republic for membership of the Real IRA
Seamus McKenna (48) recently charged in connection with an explosives find in Co Louth
Seamus Daly (32), who will next year stand trial for Real IRA membership
Colm Murphy (50), builder and publican from Ravensdale Co Louth, sentenced last year to 14 years in jail for conspiring to cause the Omagh explosion.
THE Real IRA was founded by a hardcore group of republicans disenchanted with the decision of Provisional IRA leaders to pursue a political solution to the Northern Ireland troubles.
RIRA leader Michael McKevitt and the man thought to be his second-in-command Liam Campbell are alleged to have run the dissident group from Dundalk.
In 1997, many believed that the RIRA, linked to the 32 County Sovereignty Movement, would have little impact on the Northern Ireland peace process.
A number of low key attacks caused a stir among the security forces but it was not until August 15,1998, that the group created Shockwaves after a 500lb car bomb exploded in Omagh, killing 29 people and two unborn babies.
The grim images from the Omagh bomb site, with the worst death toll since the 1974 Dublin and Monaghan bombs, sparked an outcry and calls for a decisive crackdown on the dissidents responsible.
With tough new legislation planned by both the British and Irish government, increasing police powers to tackle terror groups, the RIRA leadership announced its decision to suspend its campaign of violence three days after the Omagh attack. A month later, the group called a permanent ceasefire and it was reported that the Provisionals had visited RIRA members and demanded that they disband.
A joint RUC/Garda investigation into the attack was launched with thousands of statements taken. But while the names of those responsible for the atrocity were known, no charges were brought in the months after the bomb.
By the following summer, RIRA members once again became active and were blamed for massive bomb found in Co Donegal.
In an interview with the Irish News, Garda Commissioner Pat Byrne admitted his frustration that those responsible for the Omagh bomb had not been charged two years after the blast.
The US government took a decisive step to inflict major damage on the RIRA when it outlawed the organisation in May 2001.
Colin Powell, US secretary of state, officially declared the dissidents "a foreign terrorist organisation", making it illegal to fundraise or provide material support for the group.
Relatives of those killed in Omagh welcomed the move and three months later launched an unprecedented legal action against the Real IRA and five named individuals.
They are:
Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt, who has been convicted of directing terrorism
Liam Campbell, serving a sentence in the republic for membership of the Real IRA
Seamus McKenna (48) recently charged in connection with an explosives find in Co Louth
Seamus Daly (32), who will next year stand trial for Real IRA membership
Colm Murphy (50), builder and publican from Ravensdale Co Louth, sentenced last year to 14 years in jail for conspiring to cause the Omagh explosion.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0600
Published Date: 07-Aug-03
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