WAR OVER
WAR OVER
LATEST
BY CIARAN MCGUIGAN
Omagh bombers call a ceasefire
THE terrorists behind the Omagh bomb last night declared: The war is over. In a statement issued in Dublin, the Real IRA announced that it was to disband. It was issued by the most senior Real IRA men inside Portlaoise jail, and said the terror group was at an end.
But last night, members of the organisation outside the jail rejected the statement and warned it could cause a split.
The RIRA statement attacked a number of "corrupt" members of the group for "fraternising with criminal elements".
Part of the statement read "This Army leadership's financial motivations far out weigh their political commitment to our struggle at this time.
"IRA prisoners find this morally and politically unacceptable. We believe that this current Army leadership has forfeited all moral authority to lead the (Real) IRA.
"To date, the leadership has failed to respond to our demand (to stand down). Thus, we feel we are left with no option but to withdraw our allegiance from this Army leadership."
The statement also confirmed the Real IRA's involvement in the 1998 Omagh atrocity, in which 29 people were killed - deaths which they now say "irreparably damaged the Irish Republican struggle". The Real IRA statement comes just days before Dublin Special Criminal Court is to reconvene in the preliminary hearing of charges against alleged Real IRA leader, Michael McKevitt.
He is due to stand trial early next year, accused of directing terrorism, under anti-terror legislation passed in the wake of the Omagh bomb.
But the group's spokesmen denied that any member of the organisation had negotiated with the Dublin government to secure early release for its prisoners. The announcement is likely to result in further tensions between members of the dissident group.
Earlier this month, senior Real IRA man Liam Campbell was moved from the group's wing inside the prison, over fears for his own safety
It is understood Campbell was firmly against any move towards disbandment of the terror organisation.
LATEST
BY CIARAN MCGUIGAN
Omagh bombers call a ceasefire
THE terrorists behind the Omagh bomb last night declared: The war is over. In a statement issued in Dublin, the Real IRA announced that it was to disband. It was issued by the most senior Real IRA men inside Portlaoise jail, and said the terror group was at an end.
But last night, members of the organisation outside the jail rejected the statement and warned it could cause a split.
The RIRA statement attacked a number of "corrupt" members of the group for "fraternising with criminal elements".
Part of the statement read "This Army leadership's financial motivations far out weigh their political commitment to our struggle at this time.
"IRA prisoners find this morally and politically unacceptable. We believe that this current Army leadership has forfeited all moral authority to lead the (Real) IRA.
"To date, the leadership has failed to respond to our demand (to stand down). Thus, we feel we are left with no option but to withdraw our allegiance from this Army leadership."
The statement also confirmed the Real IRA's involvement in the 1998 Omagh atrocity, in which 29 people were killed - deaths which they now say "irreparably damaged the Irish Republican struggle". The Real IRA statement comes just days before Dublin Special Criminal Court is to reconvene in the preliminary hearing of charges against alleged Real IRA leader, Michael McKevitt.
He is due to stand trial early next year, accused of directing terrorism, under anti-terror legislation passed in the wake of the Omagh bomb.
But the group's spokesmen denied that any member of the organisation had negotiated with the Dublin government to secure early release for its prisoners. The announcement is likely to result in further tensions between members of the dissident group.
Earlier this month, senior Real IRA man Liam Campbell was moved from the group's wing inside the prison, over fears for his own safety
It is understood Campbell was firmly against any move towards disbandment of the terror organisation.
Further Information
Publisher: SUNDAY LIFE
Ref: SL/140
Published Date: 20-Oct-02
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