IRA...IN all but name?
» Over 200 members pose threat to peace » Deadly terror group well-armed and funded
A HUGE but fragile ego is the main weakness of the New IRA, a term they detest and especially when bandied about by the PSNI.
They desperately want to be referred to only as the IRA, but that moniker has already been reserved for eternity much to the chagrin of these paramilitary zealots and their need for recognition.
Their amateurish, skittish videos posted on Youtube of armed volunteers belie the fact these terrorist hoodlums mean business and today they not only have the will, they have the way.
The police and security services are fully aware of the danger they pose – and their response is anything but low-key.
One security source said: “They are contrived but they have the potential to be lethal. They come from a faceless, non-negotiable place and while many of their numbers are known to the security forces, others are not and we know they’re recruiting hard.
“These people crave attention but open attention would be the end of them. They seek admiration but they have to remain secretive to try to stay at liberty.
“So they are locked in this sort of whingeing and moaning about their name and how they should be referred to
but there’s nothing they can do about it. Their enemies use this to bruise them little by little.
“They want to be known as the IRA but we call them the New IRA because it p **** s them off. It’s a little message to them they’re not recognised in the same way as the old guard they emulate.
“But these people are b ****** s too, to the core, and they’re now actually getting harder to pin down.
“They’re armed and deadly and, yes, they’ve been showing their strength and fresh recruitment in recent months and weeks. The situation is growing, they’re gaining members and experience.
“They’re no IRA... but they’re no Dad’s Army either.”
This week, as British Prime Minister Theresa May tip-toed on to the border between the Republic and the thorn in her side, the North, security was tight.
Open protests were expected but, while there were grumblings, there was nothing serious.
The PSNI, MI5 and the Garda were preparing for worse, much worse – the stinging attention of the New IRA. The fact it didn’t happen on Thursday was no indication of future threats and action.
With between 200 and 250 armed and dangerous disciples, this latest violent paramilitary organisation includes elements of the IRA, INLA and the Continuity IRA.
Membership of the New IRA is largely based in Strabane, South Tyrone, Ardoyne and West Belfast with other power bases around Armagh city and county, pockets of East Belfast, South Down, Fermanagh and Dublin. In terms of numbers they are tight, in terms of approach they are venomous and dedicated to their cause. They: Reject the North’s peace process and the decommissioning of IRA weapons, Want an end to the British presence in the North, and Demand the North leaves the UK and reunites with the Republic. This year alone it is believed the New IRA have carried out 24 punishment shootings in the North. The violence includes the murder of a prominent drug dealer in a joint attack by the New IRA and the Army Of The Republic, or AOTR – the dregs of the Real IRA who refused to accept the most recent ceasefire terms.
A republican source said: “All the attacks and shootings over the last few years have been used to encourage and blood new recruits.
“Young recruits are not the same type of people who were about in the 70s and 80s and an education programme was required. It’s now acknowledged killing people is not like a video game where you see a target, shoot and walk away.
“The real thing is very difficult, highly charged and often emotionally horrific. Not everyone can do it.
“The violence and street campaign in Derry during the three days of July 10, 11 and 12 was all about that. Recruitment, learning, training. There were around 30
The situation is growing. They’re no IRA.. but they’re no Dad’s Army either SECURITY SOURCE YESTERDAY
blast bomb attacks and at least three IEDS with remote-controlled detonators.
“Only one was found and no one injured. As an operation it was a success.”
The blast bombs are a type of improvised hand grenade believed to be similar to that devised by jailed former Royal Marine engineer Ciaran Maxwell who secretly worked for the Continuity IRA.
A source added: “You can clearly see old ideas and techniques being mixed with new. The dissident core is made up of former PIRA, CIRA and INLA members and they teach the youngsters. They are learning, and they are learning properly – it’s scary. They have a hunger for it.
“For a while operatives would end up being arrested within days of an attack because the organisations were penetrated by the police and security services. But that doesn’t happen so much lately because they’re better at security and counterintelligence is much improved.”
Although the New IRA do not currently have the reach of the now defunct IRA, they are well-armed with up-to-date models as well as former PIRA weapons such as AK47S. They have a large but not unlimited supply of ammunition.
The New IRA restock regularly with their main income provided from smuggling cigarettes, alcohol, perfume and designer clothes, both fake and real, and seemingly legitimate front businesses.
A source said: “About five years ago a cargo ship was carrying among its load a container of contraband cigarettes and it was heading for the New IRA but was destroyed by an al-qaeda attack as the ship passed through the Suez Canal.”
It is estimated the New IRA and Real IRA have a turnover of €60million from illegal business, including drug dealing. They are also able to call on the assistance and guidance of the AOTR.
A source added: “The AOTR are reported to be not short on skill and courage, launching attacks and sending in people to attack apparently pointless targets to lure police out. That has been visible in Derry most recently.”
Security sources say the AOTR is a ghostly amalgamation of Oglaigh na heireann and smaller dissident groups.
And it was elements such as these who were blamed for recent attacks on the West Belfast homes of republicans Gerry Adams and Bobby Storey.
One source added: “The New IRA have ambitions to drop the word New. They are growing in strength and confidence. They’re growing more mature and more effective. The New IRA’S ego is growing and their capabilities are catching up – and that’s a deadly cocktail.”
jilly.beattie@trinitymirror.com
The New IRA’S ego is growing and capabilities are catching up – that’s a deadly cocktail
SOURCE YESTERDAY