REAL IRA RESPONSIBLE FOR BOMB OUTRAGE
REAL IRA RESPONSIBLE FOR BOMB OUTRAGE
DISSIDENT republicans are being blamed for carrying out yesterday's atrocity.
The so-called Real IRA are a shadowy group of republicans who oppose the Provo ceasefire and the Good Friday Agreement.
Headed by a former 'quartermaster general', they have succeeded in recruiting a number of disaffected IRA members.
The group has been recruiting heavily with numbers, according to security sources, reaching critical proportions.
The government has been made acutely aware of this swelling of numbers.
Approval
And security analysts have also advised that the group is being given tacit approval by senior Provisionals in south Armagh."
But there have also been reports of serious rifts and rows between the pro-agreement republicans and those opposed to the process.
Their ability to access large amounts of explosives and transport them to the centre of towns has caused real concern in security circles.
Sources believe they have the numbers and capacity to mount a sustained Campaign.
Their repeated car-bomb attacks on towns had miraculously not caused any fatalities but a scene of carnage and death like Omagh was bound to happen.
The former 'quartermaster general' has access to both explosives and has the backing of experienced bomb-makers.
The republicans attached to the group share the same aims as the Continuity IRA, a small group who broke away in 1986.
They are strongest in the border areas of Armagh and Louth, with a base in Dundalk.
It's only this year that dissident republicans have been able to carry out car bomb attacks of a serious nature.
They are thought to be responsible for bombings in Markethill, Moira, Portadown and Banbridge.
Massive damage was done in each of those blasts, where 500lb of explosives was packed into cars parked in the centre of the towns.
Foiled
Other attempts at "spectaculars" have been foiled or aborted, including attempts to transport massive bombs to England and over the border.
Police also arrested a number of people in London, following a find at a flat in the city.
In early May, one of their members died in a shoot-out involving the Gardai.
Irish Special Branch were able to compile a dossier on their members as many, including the leader, attended the funeral of Ronan MacLochlainn.
Politically, the 32 County Sovereignty Committee are closest to the thinking of the group.
DISSIDENT republicans are being blamed for carrying out yesterday's atrocity.
The so-called Real IRA are a shadowy group of republicans who oppose the Provo ceasefire and the Good Friday Agreement.
Headed by a former 'quartermaster general', they have succeeded in recruiting a number of disaffected IRA members.
The group has been recruiting heavily with numbers, according to security sources, reaching critical proportions.
The government has been made acutely aware of this swelling of numbers.
Approval
And security analysts have also advised that the group is being given tacit approval by senior Provisionals in south Armagh."
But there have also been reports of serious rifts and rows between the pro-agreement republicans and those opposed to the process.
Their ability to access large amounts of explosives and transport them to the centre of towns has caused real concern in security circles.
Sources believe they have the numbers and capacity to mount a sustained Campaign.
Their repeated car-bomb attacks on towns had miraculously not caused any fatalities but a scene of carnage and death like Omagh was bound to happen.
The former 'quartermaster general' has access to both explosives and has the backing of experienced bomb-makers.
The republicans attached to the group share the same aims as the Continuity IRA, a small group who broke away in 1986.
They are strongest in the border areas of Armagh and Louth, with a base in Dundalk.
It's only this year that dissident republicans have been able to carry out car bomb attacks of a serious nature.
They are thought to be responsible for bombings in Markethill, Moira, Portadown and Banbridge.
Massive damage was done in each of those blasts, where 500lb of explosives was packed into cars parked in the centre of the towns.
Foiled
Other attempts at "spectaculars" have been foiled or aborted, including attempts to transport massive bombs to England and over the border.
Police also arrested a number of people in London, following a find at a flat in the city.
In early May, one of their members died in a shoot-out involving the Gardai.
Irish Special Branch were able to compile a dossier on their members as many, including the leader, attended the funeral of Ronan MacLochlainn.
Politically, the 32 County Sovereignty Committee are closest to the thinking of the group.
Further Information
Publisher: SUNDAY LIFE
Ref: SL/016
Published Date: 16-Aug-98
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