AHERN DENIES CLAIMS OF DEAL WITH REAL IRA
Ahern denies claims of deal with the real IRA
TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern this week dismissed allegations that in the month after the 1998 Omagh bomb, discussions took place between the government and the Real IRA, forcing the terror group to call a ceasefire.
He told the Dail: "There was no deal done by the government with the Real IRA, either directly or indirectly in return for a ceasefire.
'OUTRAGEOUS'
"The allegation is as outrageous as it is deeply offensive. The evidence is entirely to the contrary.
"Some weeks before Omagh, efforts were made by my then special advisor on Northern Ireland, Dr Martin Mansergh, in contact with the 32 County Sovereignty Committee (the reputed political arm of the Real IRA) to persuade them to use their good offices to bring the Real IRA campaign to an end.
"But, unfortunately, these efforts failed.
"In the lead up to the Real IRA ceasefire in September, 1998, it is important to stress there was no initiative or contact coming from my special advisor.
"It was not the case that Dr Mansergh organised secret talks about a ceasefire."
Mr Ahern said it was his understanding that Belfast based priest Father Alex Reid who had been instrumental in helping to bring about two IRA ceasefires - received an approach after the Omagh bombing from some of those associated with the Real IRA campaign.
"He took the opportunity to impress on them the need to stop, and he reported on some of these observations to my special advisor and took advice from him.
"I am entirely satisfied that Father Reid in all his contacts emphasised that regardless of a ceasefire, the Omagh bombers would be pursued and the law would take its course with regard to all crimes committed before a ceasefire.
"There was no question at any time of instructing or promising to instruct the Gardai (police) to do other than conduct police operations as they judged right and appropriate in the circumstances facing them."
Mr Ahern said it was a matter of regret that Mr Mansergh and Father Reid should find themselves the subject of harmful innuendo in the Dublin media.
'CREDIBLE CEASEFIRE'
Asked why the blanket surveillance of the RIRA stopped when the ceasefire was in place, Mr Mansergh, said: "Obviously, when there is a credible ceasefire in place there comes a moment when saturation surveillance is no longer required quite as much."
Labour Party Leader, Pat Rabbitte said events were taking place at a time when the Dail had been recalled to enact legislation giving gardai extra powers to deal with the Real IRA.
The Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny had said it was incumbent on the Taoiseach to explain if the Government offered any concessions to the RIRA after the bomb.
According to the Sunday Business Post last weekend intense around the clock garda special branch surveillance was mounted on the RIRA and this was discussed with Father Alex Reid.
The paper reported that according to RIRA sources this overt type of surveillance was lifted after the ceasefire announcement.
Mr Mansergh countered saying that the gardai continued to monitor the activities of the group. He said: "In my opinion the gardai have done exceptionally well in this area and this has been acknowledged by the British and Irish governments. It is ludicrous to suggest that the government did a deal on Omagh."
TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern this week dismissed allegations that in the month after the 1998 Omagh bomb, discussions took place between the government and the Real IRA, forcing the terror group to call a ceasefire.
He told the Dail: "There was no deal done by the government with the Real IRA, either directly or indirectly in return for a ceasefire.
'OUTRAGEOUS'
"The allegation is as outrageous as it is deeply offensive. The evidence is entirely to the contrary.
"Some weeks before Omagh, efforts were made by my then special advisor on Northern Ireland, Dr Martin Mansergh, in contact with the 32 County Sovereignty Committee (the reputed political arm of the Real IRA) to persuade them to use their good offices to bring the Real IRA campaign to an end.
"But, unfortunately, these efforts failed.
"In the lead up to the Real IRA ceasefire in September, 1998, it is important to stress there was no initiative or contact coming from my special advisor.
"It was not the case that Dr Mansergh organised secret talks about a ceasefire."
Mr Ahern said it was his understanding that Belfast based priest Father Alex Reid who had been instrumental in helping to bring about two IRA ceasefires - received an approach after the Omagh bombing from some of those associated with the Real IRA campaign.
"He took the opportunity to impress on them the need to stop, and he reported on some of these observations to my special advisor and took advice from him.
"I am entirely satisfied that Father Reid in all his contacts emphasised that regardless of a ceasefire, the Omagh bombers would be pursued and the law would take its course with regard to all crimes committed before a ceasefire.
"There was no question at any time of instructing or promising to instruct the Gardai (police) to do other than conduct police operations as they judged right and appropriate in the circumstances facing them."
Mr Ahern said it was a matter of regret that Mr Mansergh and Father Reid should find themselves the subject of harmful innuendo in the Dublin media.
'CREDIBLE CEASEFIRE'
Asked why the blanket surveillance of the RIRA stopped when the ceasefire was in place, Mr Mansergh, said: "Obviously, when there is a credible ceasefire in place there comes a moment when saturation surveillance is no longer required quite as much."
Labour Party Leader, Pat Rabbitte said events were taking place at a time when the Dail had been recalled to enact legislation giving gardai extra powers to deal with the Real IRA.
The Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny had said it was incumbent on the Taoiseach to explain if the Government offered any concessions to the RIRA after the bomb.
According to the Sunday Business Post last weekend intense around the clock garda special branch surveillance was mounted on the RIRA and this was discussed with Father Alex Reid.
The paper reported that according to RIRA sources this overt type of surveillance was lifted after the ceasefire announcement.
Mr Mansergh countered saying that the gardai continued to monitor the activities of the group. He said: "In my opinion the gardai have done exceptionally well in this area and this has been acknowledged by the British and Irish governments. It is ludicrous to suggest that the government did a deal on Omagh."
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1118
Published Date: 07-Nov-02
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