NEW YORK BOSTON |#Popular: Irish Celebrity Gossip Irish in US Politics Irish Festivals Irish Roots Irish Entertainment Offbeat Irish

Home Page > News > Dissident IRA plan another massive Omagh-style atrocity

Dissident IRA plan another massive Omagh-style atrocity

CATHAL DERVAN,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Sunday, April 10, 2011, 8:59 AM

Updated Sunday, April 10, 2011, 8:59 AM

Larger Text

E-mail

28 Comments

Dissident Republicans have been thwarted in their bid to stage an Omagh-style attack on a border town but may try to strike again.

The Sunday Times reports that Friday’s apprehension of a 500lb bomb abandoned just outside Newry is linked to plans for another major atrocity.

Police in Northern Ireland have confirmed to the paper that the massive bomb was dumped under the main Belfast-Dublin road due to security activity in the area in the wake of the murder of Catholic policeman Ronan Kerr.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) described the device as "sophisticated and substantial" and claimed it is linked to a new dissident Republican movement under investigation for the Kerr killing a week ago.

The bomb was discovered in a van and police believe it was destined for another town center attack similar to the Omagh bomb which killed 29 people and unborn twins in 1998.

The device was built in a wheelie bin and police believe it was being transported to its intended destination when the bombers panicked in the wake of increased security activity.

The van had been stolen in the Kildare town of Maynooth in January and fitted with false Donegal registration plates.

The British Army carried out several controlled explosions before the device, 200lbs heavier than the bomb used in Omagh, was declared safe.
PSNI Chief Superintendent Alasdair Robinson told the Sunday Times: “Had it exploded it would have caused huge devastation or loss of life.”

Nster.com

E-mail

28 Comments

See all comments

FallsRNat | Apr 22, 2011, 12:45 PM EDT

these people use violence to achieve their OWN aims, um, 99% of the people in both communities are against them as the referendums have proved, so if they achieved the impossible & managed to get rid of the 1.35m brits on this island, who's next? These people are not going to fade away, they commit murders in your names, but have no mandate to do it, they don't share political ideologies with the mainstream republican movement so the likelihood of them laying down their weapons after the brits have gone is zero, so there'll probably still be a civil war of some sorts after the mass emigration, while the rest of the world is living in the year 2012, the irish will be reliving & fighting their own civil war of the 1920s, what progress is that?

Report abuse

Aughavey | Apr 12, 2011, 02:01 PM EDT

eireinamerica - said `Maybe dissident Republicans didn't do this` - that would explain the graffiti in the Bogside then! (GAA cop look what use got (use being their spelling) and `ha ha 2 down more to come`)

Report abuse

greensod | Apr 12, 2011, 11:34 AM EDT

This serves no purpose,just the act of criminals.

Report abuse

clevelander | Apr 11, 2011, 11:04 PM EDT

City Cemetery Easter Sunday I will be speaking. RSF.

Report abuse

barneyjo | Apr 11, 2011, 07:40 PM EDT

@clevelander - Oh I got what you called me ok. Im keeping this post short as I dont want to take you away from your history books for too long;you might miss something important that you could include in your next thrilling post. And do keep doing your bit and dont give up on the Rallys Festivals and protests; they're way too important!!

Report abuse

clevelander | Apr 10, 2011, 07:48 PM EDT

@barneyjo- you are boring me. ."it is better to rely not on what is said, but rather how it is said". I can not grasp that assumption. "and the "Atrocities" you suddenly claim that have happened to your family, leaves a hollow ring in my ear". Lenadoon and Shaws Rd. Nothing happened there. No surprise. "I also note you "educate" on ideals and reasons; of what?" RSF and Eire Nua. I Never called you a "west brit". Something you think about?

Report abuse

barneyjo | Apr 10, 2011, 06:35 PM EDT

[cont'd] oh, I also note you "educate" on ideals and reasons; of what? I wasnt even 10 yrs old when my community was first attacked in 1969, when I saw houses burned and people brutalised by the forces of the state that were supposed to protect them. I'm nearly 50 years old now and I have lived in Ireland through times both bad and good. So please enlighten me as to where my education is lacking or how I have become a "West-Brit" without realising it!!

Report abuse

barneyjo | Apr 10, 2011, 06:10 PM EDT

@clevelander - "Rallys, Festivals and protests" - your words, not mine. The anonomity that posting on sites like this one can allow anyone (including myself) to claim to be something or someone more than they actually are. In that case, it is better to rely not on what is said, but rather how it is said. The gap, no chasm you leave between your "Rallys, Festivals and protests" and the "Atrocities" you suddenly claim that have happened to your family, leaves a hollow ring in my ear. And if I can hear it, others will as well. So, enjoy your Golf ( A Scottish/British creation of course which would seem you are just as susceptible to the "British Sickness" as the next man) By the way, should Rory McIlroy now be considered a legitimate target for playing a British game? No-one is safe these days it would seem!! I support Derry City by the way (Go Candystripes!!)

Report abuse

clevelander | Apr 10, 2011, 04:36 PM EDT

@barneyjo- I reject your argument that one has to "had been scooped up by a British Military Police snatch squad in Belfast, Derry or elsewhere beaten to within an inch of your life and lost a few fingers or toes in the process" to have an opinion on the situiation in the north. This is my opinion and I will continue to express it anywhere and every where. So, in your mind someone who did not live in the north or had unspeakable acts perpetrated on them are not allowed to have a opinion on the situation? This is wrong. I never said these atrocities did not happen to me or my family. it did happen. I also said ANY other means. I will not discuss my past on this site but if you give me your address I would love to stop over for a cup of tea and discuss my credentials. P.S I do not wish to "drive you to tears" or change your mind as I can see the british system has made your mind up for you. Sorry I have to get back to watching Rory blow his lead.

Report abuse

barneyjo | Apr 10, 2011, 03:41 PM EDT

@clevelander - So; "Rallys, festivals and protests" constitutes walking the walk in your book. Well thats fine if it makes you happy. Only in the real world there would be many (including myself) would see you as trading on the reputations and blood sacrafice of REAL REPUBLICANS who all gave and lost something of themselves in support of the Republican struggle. Though it pains me to say this, I dont get any sense that you have had to sacrafice that much thru your "Rallys, festivals and protests!! Now, if you had told me that you had been scooped up by a British Military Police snatch squad in Belfast, Derry or elsewhere beaten to within an inch of your life and lost a few fingers or toes in the process, then I might have a different opinion. Or if you told me that as a child you were dragged by the hair from your bed at 3:00AM in the morning by British Army search squads, or held in your car by the roadside by the same Army just because the wrong name is on your driving licence (permit), then that MIGHT prompt me to think again. No, Rallys, festivals and protests are NOT moving me to tears at this point I have to say.!!

Report abuse

clevelander | Apr 10, 2011, 03:25 PM EDT

@barneyjo- As you know there are a lot of activities one can do to promote a cause, from educating people of the ideals and reasons for the cause, giving time as a volunteer at rally's, festivals or protests, or posting on discussion board such as this or thru ANY other means. So the answer to you question is YES I have walked the walk. I am not worried about your agreement. Oh and thanks for your concern about my well being. It's touching!!

Report abuse

barneyjo | Apr 10, 2011, 03:14 PM EDT

@timmyrei - Nice one!!

Report abuse

barneyjo | Apr 10, 2011, 03:12 PM EDT

@anybody - hmmm!! Do you think that a light has finally switched on in the heads of the sad sacks that did this and they now see that they have achieved the exact opposite effect to what was intended. I'd like to think so, but its only wishful thinking. I reckon that in a Bar or home(s) somewhere in Ireland these guys will be out of it, either on booze or drugs TO TRY AND DROWN THE PAIN OF THEIR OWN STUPIDIY in the hope that one among their number will come up with another big idea for a SPECTACULAR or such that will give them continued reason to justify their sad, blinkered, unimaginative and pitiful existence. I dunno, I reckon Connolly, Pearse and Collins would be embarrassed at the antics of these "eejits" in the name of Republicanism. I know I am, and hundereds of thousands of others across the world who feel the same!!

Report abuse

barneyjo | Apr 10, 2011, 02:40 PM EDT

More British propaganda for Irish Central

Report abuse

FallsRNat | Apr 10, 2011, 02:18 PM EDT

Eireinamerica - you can seek to blame whoever you like, but the sad fact is that dissident republicans carried out this attack & only the most paranoid republican would try to blame the other side.

Report abuse