FIGHTING FUND ACCOUNT IN BANK BEING MONITORED
Fighting fund account in bank being monitored
by Brian Carroll Security Correspondent
A LEADING Irish bank has been operating a 'fighting fund bank account' since the beginning of the year for the 32-County Sovereignty Committee - the group that denies they are the political wing of the Real IRA.
Special branch detectives from garda HQ have been monitoring the movement of money through the account over the past eight months.
Special branch sources said large amounts of money were not passing through the account. But, because the account is operated on a direct debit system, detectives have been able to build a file of contributors.
This has helped profile sympathisers of the 32-County Sovereignty Committee and possibly the Real IRA, the organisation which claimed responsibility for the Omagh bombing. The 32-County Sovereignty Committee has sought contributions through their monthly newsletter.
Under the heading, Fighting Fund!, the group said: "The 32-County Sovereignty Committee has set up a fighting fund to help defray the costs involved in campaigning for 32 County Sovereignty. We thank all those who have contributed to date and ask you to re-double your efforts to support the fight for sovereignty. We are not a political party, nor are we funded by big business or by pro-British elements. So we rely on you!"
The advert in the group's newsletter, Defence of the Nation, then gives details of how direct debits can be made to the bank branch in Dublin, and the account number is provided.
It is understood another account may be in operation in another of the country's leading banks, but it is unclear whether the special branch are monitoring contributors to this.
Meanwhile, members of the 32-County Sovereignty Committee in Cork and Limerick are being investigated in relation to a lotto scam allegedly perpetrated throughout Munster. A file will be sent to the DPP in September on a leading figure in the Committee, a convicted terrorist. He is alleged to have orchestrated a scam in which members of the committee impersonated Celtic Supporters Club members and sold green and white lotto tickets with the letters 32 CSC printed on them. Punters thought the initials stood for Celtic Supporters Club.
Courtesy of Irish Examiner
by Brian Carroll Security Correspondent
A LEADING Irish bank has been operating a 'fighting fund bank account' since the beginning of the year for the 32-County Sovereignty Committee - the group that denies they are the political wing of the Real IRA.
Special branch detectives from garda HQ have been monitoring the movement of money through the account over the past eight months.
Special branch sources said large amounts of money were not passing through the account. But, because the account is operated on a direct debit system, detectives have been able to build a file of contributors.
This has helped profile sympathisers of the 32-County Sovereignty Committee and possibly the Real IRA, the organisation which claimed responsibility for the Omagh bombing. The 32-County Sovereignty Committee has sought contributions through their monthly newsletter.
Under the heading, Fighting Fund!, the group said: "The 32-County Sovereignty Committee has set up a fighting fund to help defray the costs involved in campaigning for 32 County Sovereignty. We thank all those who have contributed to date and ask you to re-double your efforts to support the fight for sovereignty. We are not a political party, nor are we funded by big business or by pro-British elements. So we rely on you!"
The advert in the group's newsletter, Defence of the Nation, then gives details of how direct debits can be made to the bank branch in Dublin, and the account number is provided.
It is understood another account may be in operation in another of the country's leading banks, but it is unclear whether the special branch are monitoring contributors to this.
Meanwhile, members of the 32-County Sovereignty Committee in Cork and Limerick are being investigated in relation to a lotto scam allegedly perpetrated throughout Munster. A file will be sent to the DPP in September on a leading figure in the Committee, a convicted terrorist. He is alleged to have orchestrated a scam in which members of the committee impersonated Celtic Supporters Club members and sold green and white lotto tickets with the letters 32 CSC printed on them. Punters thought the initials stood for Celtic Supporters Club.
Courtesy of Irish Examiner
Further Information
Publisher: THE EXAMINER
Ref: TEX/150
Published Date: 22-Aug-98
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