Dissident republican groups in Northern Ireland are rapidly growing with currently more than 600 members, with the Real IRA posing the biggest threat according to senior security, intelligence and dissident sources.
The latest security analysis suggests that member numbers of the different break away dissident groups has now reached over 600. Estimates prior to this had suggested membership at between 300 and 400.
Sources confirmed to the Irish Times that the former leader of the Real IRA, Liam Campbell has stepped down. Campbell is thought to have played a key role in the Omagh bombing in August 1998 where 29 people were killed including a mother and her unborn twins. A new younger member with a strong Derry focus has taken over leadership as the prior leader was supposedly ousted from the helm.
Campbell who is currently in Maghaberry Prison, near Lisburn was moved for his own safety out of the republican wing last week. Police intelligence recommended his removal from the wing after they feared he was under imminent death threats from fellow prisoners who were also members of the Real IRA. The former Real IRA leader is remanded on custody in Lisburn before he faces extradition to Lithuania on arms smuggling charges.
“Our assessment is that Campbell is gone and that a new leadership is in place which is determined to build up a more dangerous and more cohesive structure,” the source told the Irish Times.
Sources confirming Campbell's removal from the paramilitary body said it illustrated the groups plans to strengthen its organization and structure.
“There is disinformation out there that the Real IRA is a fragmented organization run by little autonomous groupings but that is not the case, it is united and well organized,” said a well-placed dissident source.
Other Republican dissident groups active in Northern Ireland include Óglaigh na hÉireann which was a splinter group from the Real IRA and the Continuity IRA.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.barneyjo | Oct 27, 2010, 08:50 PM EDT
But what about the votes Laura123!! Where are the votes that support this tradition? They're simply not there and without votes to effect change what have you got? You can have sympthisers aplenty, but without a critical mass of voters,you got nothing!!
barneyjo | Oct 27, 2010, 08:33 PM EDT
Wrong wrong wrong wrong wrong!! A 32 county soverign Republic is not on the cards anytime soon, for two reasons; 1) the Irish Republic could never afford to integrate oven one million people into an expanded country let alone the fact that most want nothing more to do with the North, other than to visit on a shopping trip. 2) No armed campaign to drive the British out will succeed because not enough people will support any such campaign. A recent poll of Catholic voters showed that 40% were happy with the present status of a devolved assembly.
sirpeter | Oct 26, 2010, 11:38 AM EDT
What a failed little statelet that place is,When will the British just walk away and let the Irish deal with our own problems.We need a united Ireland fast and then we'll just give the Unionist's a few slaps and tell them to behave themselves and we can all live happily ever after.
Strongbow | Oct 25, 2010, 07:18 PM EDT
Chuckfee our law. 600 poor lads who just need a few more hugs.
Laura123 | Oct 25, 2010, 05:38 PM EDT
There may be only 600 members but there is far more Sympathizers!!
johnymac60 | Oct 25, 2010, 03:39 PM EDT
Guys, please. get out the vote - not the gun.
beachline | Oct 25, 2010, 03:15 PM EDT
Fight FOR Ireland , not against her. There has been too much bloodshed. Legislate the English out of Northern Ireland and make it a true Republic of all of the counties.
Searlit | Oct 25, 2010, 11:12 AM EDT
Don't hurt yourselves or anyone else.