RIRA HAD 400 MEMBERS OMAGH BOMB TRIAL TOLD
RIRA had 400 members, Omagh bomb trial told
BY ALAN ERWIN
THE terrorist organisation behind the Omagh bomb massacre had up to 400 members plotting to wreck the fragile peace established in Northern Ireland, the High Court heard yesterday.
A Government dossier revealed at the civil trial of five men being sued over the attack which killed 29 people also claimed key Real IRA men held dual membership within its political wing, the 32 County Sovereignty Movement.
Weapons were brought in from the former Republic of Yugoslavia, with sporadic acquaintances rather than procurement processes exploited by the dissident republicans, it stated.
One link was allegedly established while a sympathiser was working with an aid agency in the war-torn region.
The intelligence files, sent to US authorities analysing the Real IRA, detailed its formation following a split with the established Provisional movement in 1997, recruitment, and areas of strength along the north Louth and south Armagh region of the Irish border.
On the tenth day of the hearing in Belfast Brett Lockhart QC, for the Omagh bomb victims' families seeking multi-million pound damages, read out the assessment from David Watkins, a senior director for police and security within the Northern Ireland Office.
His analysis, compiled around three years after the August, 1998 explosion which devastated Omagh, also set out how fundraising came through wealthy benefactors and crime.
Up to $150,000 a year was believed to be coming into the organisation from US supporters - significantly less than its gains through smuggling, the court heard.
The document estimated that the RIRA consisted of 150 members directly involved in or supporting terrorist attacks, with another 250 members prepared to assist through other methods including finance and criminal activity.
Experienced Provisional IRA men thought to have defected to the dissident grouping after it formed in late 1997 and then set out to thwart the following year's Good Friday peace agreement.
The dossier disclosed to the court made clear the Real IRA's raison d'etre was to continue the armed struggle in Ireland and to supplant the PIRA as the main republican organisation.
A terrorist campaign resumed following a ceasefire called in the aftermath of Omagh was described as presenting "a real threat to the fragile peace developed over many years".
And turning to the 32 County Sovereignty Movement, which always denied links to the Real IRA, the intelligence assessment claimed: "A number of key individuals within the group appear to hold dual membership."
The trial was adjourned until Monday.
BY ALAN ERWIN
THE terrorist organisation behind the Omagh bomb massacre had up to 400 members plotting to wreck the fragile peace established in Northern Ireland, the High Court heard yesterday.
A Government dossier revealed at the civil trial of five men being sued over the attack which killed 29 people also claimed key Real IRA men held dual membership within its political wing, the 32 County Sovereignty Movement.
Weapons were brought in from the former Republic of Yugoslavia, with sporadic acquaintances rather than procurement processes exploited by the dissident republicans, it stated.
One link was allegedly established while a sympathiser was working with an aid agency in the war-torn region.
The intelligence files, sent to US authorities analysing the Real IRA, detailed its formation following a split with the established Provisional movement in 1997, recruitment, and areas of strength along the north Louth and south Armagh region of the Irish border.
On the tenth day of the hearing in Belfast Brett Lockhart QC, for the Omagh bomb victims' families seeking multi-million pound damages, read out the assessment from David Watkins, a senior director for police and security within the Northern Ireland Office.
His analysis, compiled around three years after the August, 1998 explosion which devastated Omagh, also set out how fundraising came through wealthy benefactors and crime.
Up to $150,000 a year was believed to be coming into the organisation from US supporters - significantly less than its gains through smuggling, the court heard.
The document estimated that the RIRA consisted of 150 members directly involved in or supporting terrorist attacks, with another 250 members prepared to assist through other methods including finance and criminal activity.
Experienced Provisional IRA men thought to have defected to the dissident grouping after it formed in late 1997 and then set out to thwart the following year's Good Friday peace agreement.
The dossier disclosed to the court made clear the Real IRA's raison d'etre was to continue the armed struggle in Ireland and to supplant the PIRA as the main republican organisation.
A terrorist campaign resumed following a ceasefire called in the aftermath of Omagh was described as presenting "a real threat to the fragile peace developed over many years".
And turning to the 32 County Sovereignty Movement, which always denied links to the Real IRA, the intelligence assessment claimed: "A number of key individuals within the group appear to hold dual membership."
The trial was adjourned until Monday.
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/753
Published Date: 23-Apr-08
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