TAOISEACH GIVES DISSIDENT GROUPS 24 HOURS TO RENOUNCE CAMPAIGNS
Taoiseach gives dissident group 24 hours to renounce campaign
By Denis Coghlan, and Deaglan de Breadun, in Belfast
THE Taoiseach has called on all republican groups that continue to participate in or support violence to give a clear signal within 24 hours that they intend to end their campaigns. He expected to hear from the three groups that had not declared ceasefires about their intentions, before he meets Mr David Trimble, Northern Ireland's First Minister, today. "If they don't, we will intensify every single effort that I can physically and possibly do, legislatively and with the security forces, to break these organisations." Mr Ahern said it was "insanity for them to go against the wishes of the Irish people and continue to engage in violence. I'm glad that the IRSP, speaking for their wing of the INLA, have given a very clear signal what they're doing, and the other two groups, Republican Sinn Fein and the 32-County Sovereignty Movement, I think should also be declaring their position. "The Government may formally proscribe dissident republican groups when it meets this morning. Ministers will consider legislative and security proposals.
Key legislative changes are likely to include seven-day detention of suspects; a diminution of the right to silence for suspected republicans; and the right to draw "inferences" in court from a person's association with paramilitaries. The Minister for Justice is also expected to invoke by ministerial order the terms of the bail referendum (passed in 1996) specifically for republican prisoners. This would allow courts to refuse bail where a chief superintendent said the suspect might commit an offence. Fifteen victims will be buried after 12 separate funerals today. The funerals of the three young boys from Buncrana will be attended by the President, Mrs McAleese. Mr Trimble is also expected to attend.
Last night politicians strongly condemned a statement from the 'Real IRA' admitting responsibility for the Omagh bomb attack and saying it had not intended to kill "civilians". The Northern Secretary, Dr Mowlam, said it was a "pathetic attempt to apologise for and excuse mass murder". A Government spokesman in Dublin said: "This excuse and explanation are cold comfort for the bereaved and injured. This disclaimer provides no justification or extenuation."
The statement from Oglaigh na hEireann - as the organisation calls itself - said: "There were three warnings and there were 40 minutes warning on each of them - two to UTV and one to the Samaritans in Coleraine. Each time this was made clear and people talked back. The location was 300 to 400 yards from the courthouse on the main street. At no time was it said it was near the courthouse. It was a commercial target. Despite media reports it was not our intention at any time to kill any civilians. It was a commercial target, part of an ongoing war against the Brits. We offer apologies to the civilians."
UTV said the statement was "clearly wrong on at least two accounts". The calls the station received said the bomb was outside or near the courthouse. The first mentioned a 30-minute warning and the second, about three minutes later, reduced this to a 15-minute warning. The Samaritans declined to comment.
The RUC said it was treating the statement with "the contempt it deserves", while senior Garda sources rejected the bombers' claim that they gave an accurate warning.
Garda sources said the bombers might have panicked and left the car in Market Street, possibly because of heavy traffic. One said the Provisional IRA had sometimes given inaccurate telephone warnings due to lack of co-ordination between those planting the bombs and those making phone warning.
Yesterday Prince Charles visited Tyrone County Hospital Omagh, and met emergency personnel at Lisanelly army barracks. He said he was reminded of the Enniskillen bomb and the killing of his uncle, Lord Mountbatten.
By Denis Coghlan, and Deaglan de Breadun, in Belfast
THE Taoiseach has called on all republican groups that continue to participate in or support violence to give a clear signal within 24 hours that they intend to end their campaigns. He expected to hear from the three groups that had not declared ceasefires about their intentions, before he meets Mr David Trimble, Northern Ireland's First Minister, today. "If they don't, we will intensify every single effort that I can physically and possibly do, legislatively and with the security forces, to break these organisations." Mr Ahern said it was "insanity for them to go against the wishes of the Irish people and continue to engage in violence. I'm glad that the IRSP, speaking for their wing of the INLA, have given a very clear signal what they're doing, and the other two groups, Republican Sinn Fein and the 32-County Sovereignty Movement, I think should also be declaring their position. "The Government may formally proscribe dissident republican groups when it meets this morning. Ministers will consider legislative and security proposals.
Key legislative changes are likely to include seven-day detention of suspects; a diminution of the right to silence for suspected republicans; and the right to draw "inferences" in court from a person's association with paramilitaries. The Minister for Justice is also expected to invoke by ministerial order the terms of the bail referendum (passed in 1996) specifically for republican prisoners. This would allow courts to refuse bail where a chief superintendent said the suspect might commit an offence. Fifteen victims will be buried after 12 separate funerals today. The funerals of the three young boys from Buncrana will be attended by the President, Mrs McAleese. Mr Trimble is also expected to attend.
Last night politicians strongly condemned a statement from the 'Real IRA' admitting responsibility for the Omagh bomb attack and saying it had not intended to kill "civilians". The Northern Secretary, Dr Mowlam, said it was a "pathetic attempt to apologise for and excuse mass murder". A Government spokesman in Dublin said: "This excuse and explanation are cold comfort for the bereaved and injured. This disclaimer provides no justification or extenuation."
The statement from Oglaigh na hEireann - as the organisation calls itself - said: "There were three warnings and there were 40 minutes warning on each of them - two to UTV and one to the Samaritans in Coleraine. Each time this was made clear and people talked back. The location was 300 to 400 yards from the courthouse on the main street. At no time was it said it was near the courthouse. It was a commercial target. Despite media reports it was not our intention at any time to kill any civilians. It was a commercial target, part of an ongoing war against the Brits. We offer apologies to the civilians."
UTV said the statement was "clearly wrong on at least two accounts". The calls the station received said the bomb was outside or near the courthouse. The first mentioned a 30-minute warning and the second, about three minutes later, reduced this to a 15-minute warning. The Samaritans declined to comment.
The RUC said it was treating the statement with "the contempt it deserves", while senior Garda sources rejected the bombers' claim that they gave an accurate warning.
Garda sources said the bombers might have panicked and left the car in Market Street, possibly because of heavy traffic. One said the Provisional IRA had sometimes given inaccurate telephone warnings due to lack of co-ordination between those planting the bombs and those making phone warning.
Yesterday Prince Charles visited Tyrone County Hospital Omagh, and met emergency personnel at Lisanelly army barracks. He said he was reminded of the Enniskillen bomb and the killing of his uncle, Lord Mountbatten.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH TIMES
Ref: IT/080
Published Date: 19-Aug-98
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