PROVO REJECTS REGROUP AS REAL IRA UNIT
Provo rejects regroup as Real IRA unit
THREE former PROVOS - thrown out of the organisation in the late 80s - have formed a new unit of the Real IRA in Fermanagh, writes Stephanie Bell. The dissidents - two of whom are originally from Limerick and the third from Irvinestown - are running the West Fermanagh brigade of the terror group. A number of incidents along the Fermanagh border, including a bank robbery and a raid on a post office, are being blamed on the republicans, described by sources as being "ruthless". The men, all in their 30s, were active members of PIRA, until they were stood down in the late 1980s. A republican source claimed: "They are ruthless men who are out to wreck the peace process.
"They were disbanded by PIRA because of the number of killings in the area at the time. Two murders in particular, which weren't sanctioned, led to them being stood down." The men are believed to be known to the security forces north and south of the border.
However, republicans in the area who support the ceasefire, are unhappy at the increase in terrorist activity.
And they claim that the terror group - who were behind the Omagh massacre - have launched a major recruitment drive.
"They've been spotted in different parts of Fermanagh and have been active for some time now," said the source.
"They are boasting they are back at war."
THREE former PROVOS - thrown out of the organisation in the late 80s - have formed a new unit of the Real IRA in Fermanagh, writes Stephanie Bell. The dissidents - two of whom are originally from Limerick and the third from Irvinestown - are running the West Fermanagh brigade of the terror group. A number of incidents along the Fermanagh border, including a bank robbery and a raid on a post office, are being blamed on the republicans, described by sources as being "ruthless". The men, all in their 30s, were active members of PIRA, until they were stood down in the late 1980s. A republican source claimed: "They are ruthless men who are out to wreck the peace process.
"They were disbanded by PIRA because of the number of killings in the area at the time. Two murders in particular, which weren't sanctioned, led to them being stood down." The men are believed to be known to the security forces north and south of the border.
However, republicans in the area who support the ceasefire, are unhappy at the increase in terrorist activity.
And they claim that the terror group - who were behind the Omagh massacre - have launched a major recruitment drive.
"They've been spotted in different parts of Fermanagh and have been active for some time now," said the source.
"They are boasting they are back at war."
Further Information
Publisher: SUNDAY LIFE
Ref: SL/105
Published Date: 13-Aug-00
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