THE FIVE ACCUSED OF BOMBING OMAGH
Turf war flares as top Provo defects
NATIONALISTS, living in the south Derry village of Maghera, have found themselves in the middle of a turf war, after a leading republican jumped ship from the Provisionals to the Real IRA. Sources in the town say the top Provo man, who was drinking in a bar, in the town, 'went ballistic', when he heard the news that the UFF had murdered 19-year old Gerard Lawlor, in North Belfast.
"When the news broke that another Catholic had been murdered by a loyalist death squad, he went mad, firing tables and chairs around the place, shouting that the Provos were a bunch of yellow bastards", a local source said.
"He then began to thump the bar, telling people that he was through with the IRA, and of now he was recruiting for the Real IRA, and anyone who wanted to jump ship was welcome to come over with him. "This man was the Provo's muscle in the town, and the news that he has left the Provo camp, is sending shivers through the community, because this man is very, very dangerous."
The split could not have been more evident, just two weeks ago, only three members of Sinn Fein turned out to protest at the contentious Maghera Sons of William's band parade in the town. In other years, large numbers of nationalists turned out to protest, as the bandsmen passed along the nationalist Hall Street. A republican source in the town said: "There have been growing tensions in the area, with younger elements opting to go backhand do what we do best.
"Things were further strained, when senior IRA figures in North Belfast, were seen ordering republicans not to protest against the Orange parades in Ardoyne - for years they have been telling us to protest.
"The final straw came after the upsurge in loyalist violence, when senior members of the IRA ordered their people not to respond, this was more than could be stomached."
Maghera has traditionally been a Provo stronghold; however, with numbers of influential teenagers, and disgruntled PIRA members joining the RIRA, tensions among republicans are growing, amid fears that a RIRA/DRA feud could erupt at anytime. The news of the shift in support from IRA to RIRA, has forced loyalists in the area to review their security arrangements.
"In recent months, a number of RIRA supporters attacked a Sinn Fein member in Largantogher Park, without any response from the Provos."
NATIONALISTS, living in the south Derry village of Maghera, have found themselves in the middle of a turf war, after a leading republican jumped ship from the Provisionals to the Real IRA. Sources in the town say the top Provo man, who was drinking in a bar, in the town, 'went ballistic', when he heard the news that the UFF had murdered 19-year old Gerard Lawlor, in North Belfast.
"When the news broke that another Catholic had been murdered by a loyalist death squad, he went mad, firing tables and chairs around the place, shouting that the Provos were a bunch of yellow bastards", a local source said.
"He then began to thump the bar, telling people that he was through with the IRA, and of now he was recruiting for the Real IRA, and anyone who wanted to jump ship was welcome to come over with him. "This man was the Provo's muscle in the town, and the news that he has left the Provo camp, is sending shivers through the community, because this man is very, very dangerous."
The split could not have been more evident, just two weeks ago, only three members of Sinn Fein turned out to protest at the contentious Maghera Sons of William's band parade in the town. In other years, large numbers of nationalists turned out to protest, as the bandsmen passed along the nationalist Hall Street. A republican source in the town said: "There have been growing tensions in the area, with younger elements opting to go backhand do what we do best.
"Things were further strained, when senior IRA figures in North Belfast, were seen ordering republicans not to protest against the Orange parades in Ardoyne - for years they have been telling us to protest.
"The final straw came after the upsurge in loyalist violence, when senior members of the IRA ordered their people not to respond, this was more than could be stomached."
Maghera has traditionally been a Provo stronghold; however, with numbers of influential teenagers, and disgruntled PIRA members joining the RIRA, tensions among republicans are growing, amid fears that a RIRA/DRA feud could erupt at anytime. The news of the shift in support from IRA to RIRA, has forced loyalists in the area to review their security arrangements.
"In recent months, a number of RIRA supporters attacked a Sinn Fein member in Largantogher Park, without any response from the Provos."
Further Information
Publisher: SUNDAY LIFE
Ref: SL/134
Published Date: 04-Aug-02
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