A Real IRA bomber is a leading figure in a campaign to prevent a republican found responsible by a court for the Omagh bomb from standing trial on arms charges in Lithuania.
John Connolly (44) has spent the past week plastering parts of Fermanagh and Cavan with posters in support of Liam Campbell, who faces being extradited to the eastern European nation.
Connolly – who is now a member of Republican Sinn Fein and is believed to lead the Continuity IRA in the border area – was caged for 14 years in 2000 after being caught with a 220lb Real IRA mortar.
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Relatives of victims of the 1998 Real IRA reacted angrily earlier this month when Sinn Féin, SDLP and some independent representatives on Fermanagh and Omagh District Council backed the proposal by independent Bernice Swift, is to write to the taoiseach voicing concerns about Liam Campbell’s extradition to Lithuania. Campbell (58), who was found liable in a civil (not criminal) court for the Omagh attack along with three other men in 2009 (now is 2020 11 years later), was arrested in Upper Faughart, Dundalk in December 2016 on foot of a European Arrest Warrant issued by Lithuanian authorities. He is alleged to have organised smuggling of weapons for the Real IRA between the end of 2006 and the beginning of 2007.
The High Court in Dublin ordered Campbell’s extradition following a lengthy legal battle, with a judge concluding there was no evidence he would be subjected to inhuman and degrading prison conditions. However, at a July 8th meeting of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council’s policy and resources committee, a majority of councillors voted to record their opposition to the extradition in a letter to Michéal Martin, on the grounds that Campbell’s human rights would be breached by poor prison conditions in the Baltic state. Within 24 hours of the meeting the SDLP group leader on the council apologised, saying it was “wrong” to support the motion and it would be opposed when it came before the full council for ratification.
Omagh bombing carried out by the RIRA
Sinn Féin said it supported the motion on the basis that its “council group was of the view that the human rights concerns raised merited discussion by the full council”. It added that it “will ensure that the concerns and needs of the victims of the Omagh bombing are also reflected in that debate”. The party said last night that it has tabled an amendment to the motion “highlighting our concerns about the human rights of Liam Campbell”. The amendment also reiterates our utter condemnation of the Omagh bombing, our support for the victims and their families and our resolve to see those responsible being held accountable in a judicial and legal process.”
DUP group leader Errol Thompson described the motion as “disgraceful and a total insult to the innocent victims of the Omagh bomb”. He said the party has also lodged a complaint to the Local Government Standards Commissioner in relation to Ms Swift and the chair of the policy and resources committee, Sinn Féin’s Stephen McCann. Claire Monteith, whose brother Alan Radford was killed in the blast, has also reported Ms Swift and Mr McCann to the local government Ombudsman. The Ulster Unionists have also tabled a counter motion tonight expressing solidarity with the victims of the bomb, in which 29 people including a woman pregnant with twins, were killed. It says the publicity surrounding the proposal to write to the taoiseach has “caused further pain and anguish anguish amongst the victims and their relatives”.
With many thanks to: The Irish News and John Manley Political Correspondent – j.manley@irishnews.com
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Cops here were the first to put people before the courts based on a breach of a secure mobile phone network called EncroChat. The arrests were part of a Europe-wide operation aimed at organised crime gangs – the largest of its kind ever carried out. Police services across the UK have seized weapons and huge amounts of drugs and cash in what is being seen as one of the most significant and successful operations aimed at taking down criminal crime lords. At the centre of it is EncroChat, an encrypted mobile phone network shared by criminal bosses across the continent. The system is WiFi-based and does not rely on a mobile network, users can only communicate by text or pictures, and cannot make a voice call. According to security sources the system is set up entirety for the benefit of criminal gangs – some of whom operate in the North of Ireland.
Handsets can cost up to £3,500 a piece and joining the network is by invitation only. Cracking the code has exposed a vast network of criminal enterprises and a higher level of co-operation between organised crime gangs than previously believed. Operation Venetic in the UK has been overseen by the National Crime Agency who have been working in partnership with police forces across Europe including the Gardaí. To date six people in the North of Ireland are facing charges as a result of cops breaching EncroChat. This week a dissident republican appeared in court as a result of Venetic. Prosecuting lawyer Robin Steer told Craigavon Magistrates Court last week that having accessed messages and images in an encrypted phone, police believe that Bryan McManus is involved in the “transport and shipment of large quantities of drugs and cash,” adding that “we say he is connected to a criminal network”.
McManus appeared at court via videolink from police custody and confirmed that he understood the 12 charges against him. The 642-year-old, from Aileen Terrace in Newry, was charged with nine drugs offences including the importation of cocaine and cannabis. The Co Armagh engineer, who has previous convictions for possessing handguns and ammunition and supplying funds or property for a terrorist organisation, was also charged with possessing criminal property and conspiring to convert and conceal criminal property. Intercepted messages referred to amounts of money up to £300,000 while others referred to “cocaine testing kits and a metal press used to make blocks of cocaine”.
JAILED
Turning to McManus’s previous record, the court heard that he was jailed for six and a half years in 2013 for firearms and terrorist offences and is the subject of a “terrorism notification order for 15 years”. Six mobile phones which had been seized “are still to be assessed. He conceded that another man arrested as part of the same operation has been freed on bail but Mr Steer highlighted how that defendant, Victor Notorantonio, has numerous health difficulties. McManus was remanded into custody until July 31st 2020. Security sources have told us there is ‘minimal’ involvement of paramilitary gangs, which highlights the increasing level of international organised crime in the North of Ireland.
“While the paramilitaries remain a significant criminal enterprise, and they are getting more sophisticated, it is the prevalence of international crime gangs that is most significant,” a security source told us. It is understood the NCA is frustrated that details of Venetic have emerged before the operation is complete. Last week French and Dutch authorities presented the results of a joint investigation to dismantle EncroChat. Millions of messages exchanged between criminals to plan serious crimes were analysed. A large number of suspects have also been arrested in a number of countries across Europe including the UK, Sweden and Norway. Many of these investigations were connected with international drug trafficking and violent criminal activities. The interception of EncroChat messages came to an end on June 13th 2020 when the company realised it had been compromised.
With many thanks to the: Sunday World and Richard Sullivan for the EXCLUSIVE original story
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RUC/PSNI close to Ronan Kerr’s charges as man sentenced over guns and explosive find
PSNI constable Kerr was killed bya booby-trap bomb in his car in Omagh on Saturday,
Murdered police officer Ronan Kerr
POLICE INVESTIGATING THE murder of PSNI constable Ronan Kerr have said that they believe they are close to making further charges.
The update was delivered on the day a 36-year-old was sentenced for a weapons find made three days after the murder.
Officers say that the investigation into the murder is the largest ever undertaken by the force and that they have identified the group they believe carried out the car bomb that killed Kerr in April 2011. They also believe they can link this group to other incidents.
Gavin Coyle, who was today 15th January 2014 was sentenced to 10 years, leaving Dungannon Magistrates Court in 2011. (Pic: Niall Carson/PA Wire)
The PSNI’s assistant chief constable for crime operations Drew Harris described the investigation into the murder as “lengthy and complicated”:
Although we have yet to bring charges for Ronan’s murder, this investigation, which is the largest in the PSNI’s history, is far from over. Detectives in serious crime branch have linked a total of 17 incidents to the same network of individuals and terrorist groupings. These include attempts to murder other police officers, a bomb attack, arms finds and armed robberies.
“We have made progress and we believe there is potential to bring other individuals before the courts. But we are not complacent,” added Harris.
PSNI constable Kerr was killed when booby-trap bomb went off after he got into his car at Highfield Close in Omagh on Saturday, 2 April 2011.
The PSNI say that the resultant investigation has led to 14 arrests, 123 house searches and the seizure of 7,947 items.
Coalisland guns and explosive seizure
The update on the investigation was provided by the PSNI as 36-year-old Gavin Coyle, of Culmore Road, Omagh, was sentenced to a total of 10 years after admitting having guns and explosives with intent to endanger life and being a member of the IRA. Five years will be in custody with five
The arms and explosives, which included assault rifles and Semtex, were uncovered by detectives in premises at Mountjoy Road, Coalisland, Co Tyrone three days after the murder of Kerr in April 2011.
Following Coyle’s sentencing, PSNI officers have released a number of photos of the items seized that led to his conviction.
PSNI close to Ronan Kerr charges as man sentenced over guns and explosive find
PSNI constable Kerr was killed by a booby-trap bomb in his car in Omagh on Saturday, 2 April
POLICE INVESTIGATING THE murder of PSNI constable Ronan Kerr have said that they believe they are close to making further charges.
The update was delivered on the day a 36-year-old was sentenced for a weapons find made three days after the murder.
Officers say that the investigation into the murder is the largest ever undertaken by the force and that they have identified the group they believe carried out the car bomb that killed Kerr in April 2011. They also believe they can link this group to other incidents.
Gavin Coyle, who was today sentenced to 10 years, leaving Dungannon Magistrates Court in 2011. (Pic: Niall Carson/PA Wire)
The PSNI’s assistant chief constable for crime operations Drew Harris described the investigation into the murder as “lengthy and complicated”:
Although we have yet to bring charges for Ronan’s murder, this investigation, which is the largest in the PSNI’s history, is far from over. Detectives in serious crime branch have linked a total of 17 incidents to the same network of individuals and terrorist groupings. These include attempts to murder other police officers, a bomb attack, arms finds and armed robberies.
“We have made progress and we believe there is potential to bring other individuals before the courts. But we are not complacent,” added Harris.
PSNI constable Kerr was killed when booby-trap bomb went off after he got into his car at Highfield Close in Omagh on Saturday, 2 April 2011.
The PSNI say that the resultant investigation has led to 14 arrests, 123 house searches and the seizure of 7,947 items.
Coalisland guns and explosive seizure
The update on the investigation was provided by the PSNI as 36-year-old Gavin Coyle, of Culmore Road, Omagh, was sentenced to a total of 10 years after admitting having guns and explosives with intent to endanger life and being a member of the IRA. Five years will be in custody with five on licence.
The arms and explosives, which included assault rifles and Semtex, were uncovered by detectives in premises at Mountjoy Road, Coalisland, Co Tyrone three days after the murder of Kerr in April 2011.
Following Coyle’s sentencing, PSNI officers have released a number of photos of the items seized that led to his conviction.
PSNI close to Ronan Kerr charges as man sentenced over guns and explosive find
PSNI constable Kerr was killed by a booby-trap bomb in his car in Omagh on Saturday, 2 April 2011.
POLICE INVESTIGATING THE murder of PSNI constable Ronan Kerr have said that they believe they are close to making further charges.
The update was delivered on the day a 36-year-old was sentenced for a weapons find made three days after the murder.
Officers say that the investigation into the murder is the largest ever undertaken by the force and that they have identified the group they believe carried out the car bomb that killed Kerr in April 2011. They also believe they can link this group to other incidents.
Gavin Coyle, who was today sentenced to 10 years, leaving Dungannon Magistrates Court in 2011. (Pic: Niall Carson/PA Wire)
The PSNI’s assistant chief constable for crime operations Drew Harris described the investigation into the murder as “lengthy and complicated”:
Although we have yet to bring charges for Ronan’s murder, this investigation, which is the largest in the PSNI’s history, is far from over. Detectives in serious crime branch have linked a total of 17 incidents to the same network of individuals and terrorist groupings. These include attempts to murder other police officers, a bomb attack, arms finds and armed robberies.
“We have made progress and we believe there is potential to bring other individuals before the courts. But we are not complacent,” added Harris.
PSNI constable Kerr was killed when booby-trap bomb went off after he got into his car at Highfield Close in Omagh on Saturday, 2 April 2011.
The PSNI say that the resultant investigation has led to 14 arrests, 123 house searches and the seizure of 7,947 items.
Coalisland guns and explosive seizure
The update on the investigation was provided by the PSNI as 36-year-old Gavin Coyle, of Culmore Road, Omagh, was sentenced to a total of 10 years after admitting having guns and explosives with intent to endanger life and being a member of the IRA. Five years will be in custody with five on licence.
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The arms and explosives, which included assault rifles and Semtex, were uncovered by detectives in premises at Mountjoy Road, Coalisland, Co Tyrone three days after the murder of Kerr in April 2011.
Following Coyle’s sentencing, PSNI officers have released a number of photos of the items seized that led to his conviction.
Probe call into RUC/PSNI officer’s affair with associate of gang linked to Ronan Kerr murder
How The Irish News revealed that a policewoman had been sanctioned for having an inappropriate relationship with an associate of a criminal gang linked to Ronan Kerr murderTHE Police Ombudsman is being asked to examine the PSNI response to an officer’s affair with an associate of a criminal gang linked to Constable Ronan Kerr’s murder.
The Irish News yesterday revealed that a policewoman had been reprimanded over having the inappropriate sexual relationship.
A number of complaints were upheld at an internal disciplinary hearing last month and her pay was docked.
She had initially been suspended before returning to office-based work, but has now resumed operational duty.
In 2014 the PSNI sent a file in relation to the case to the Public Prosecution Service, but it decided not to pursue a prosecution.
Police said the matter was not referred to the ombudsman because it was “not the subject of a public complaint”.
It is understood the man with whom the PSNI officer was romantically involved is associated with members of a criminal gang linked to Constable Kerr’s murder.
The 25-year-old Catholic policeman was killed in 2011 when a booby-trap bomb exploded under his car in Omagh.
No-one has ever been charged with his murder, which was blamed on dissident republican paramilitaries.
The criminal gang is suspected of involvement in the theft of cars for dissidents involved in the murder plot.
The SDLP’s Dolores Kelly, a former Policing Board member, said she intends to lodge a complaint with the ombudsman to “ensure that a thorough investigation takes place”.
“The PSNI may have taken all necessary steps, and imposed proportionate and appropriate sanctions in response to the misconduct,” the Upper Bann MLA said.
“However in my view, given that public confidence in the PSNI is essential, it is important that the Police Ombudsman scrutinises the actions taken by the PSNI to judge whether or not appropriate action was taken.
“Consequentially I will lodge a complaint to the Police Ombudsman to ensure that a thorough investigation takes place.”
According to the Police (NI) Act 1998, the chief constable may refer to the ombudsman any matter involving an officer facing criminal or disciplinary proceedings if an ombudsman investigation is considered in the “public interest”.
Asked again yesterday why the case had not been referred to the ombudsman, the PSNI said it would not be making any further comment.
The Police Ombudsman’s Office said it had been in contact with the PSNI and can “understand and appreciate why no referral was made”, but declined to say why.
It added: “We frequently receive referrals from police when independent investigations by this office may be appropriate in the public interest, and we anticipate that this will continue to be the case in the future.”
With many thanks to: The Irish News and Brendan Hughes for the original story
RUC/PSNI cleared of misconduct in handling of Kerr murder probe
THE POLICE OMBUDSMAN has cleared the RUC/PSNI of misconduct in its handling of a policewoman’s affair with an associate of a gang linked to Constable Ronan Kerr’s murder.
Mr Kerr’s family made a complaint to the watchdog after The Irish News in 2018 revealed the policewoman in Co Tyrone had been reprimanded but allowed to return to work. The family raised concerns about the adequacy of the internal RUC/PSNI probe and whether it impacted on the murder investigation. Mr Kerr, a 25-year-old Catholic policeman, was murdered in 2011 when a booby-trap bomb exploded under his car in Omagh. No-one has been convicted of the murder by dissident republican paramilitaries, although one person (Gavin Coyle) was jailed for offences connected to the investigation. It is understood the man whom the policewoman was involved is associated with members of a criminal gang linked to the killing. The criminal gang is suspected of involvement in the theft of cars for dissidents involved in the murder plot. The policewoman was suspended from duty after the affair emerged and the RUC/PSNI launched an investigation. In 2014, the RUC/PSNI sent a file in relation to the case to the (PPS) Public Prosecution Service, although it decided not to pursue a criminal prosecution.
RUC/PSNI the corrupt police service in the occupied six Counties of the North of Ireland
In 2008 several complaints were upheld at an internal disciplinary hearing and the officer’s pay was docked, but she returned to operational duty. Police said it never referred the matter to the Police Ombudsmen because it was “not the subject of a public complaint”. The Police Ombudsman’s office in a statement confirmed the conclusion of its investigation. A spokesman said: “On March 14th 2018, The Irish News published a story that a serving police officer had been disciplined following an internal police investigation into her relationship with a man reported to be associated with members of a gang linked to the murder of Constable Ronan Kerr. “We subsequently received a complaint from Constable Keer’s family which raised concerns relating to the adequacy of the internal police investigation of this matter, and about possible implications for the investigation of Constable Keer’s murder. “We investigated these matters and found that the internal police investigation had been appropriately thorough, and that police had given consideration to any potential impact on the murder investigation. “There was no evidence of any misconduct in the way these matters were addressed by police.”
An RUC/PSNI spokesman said the matter had been investigated in 2013 by its Anti-Corruption Unit. “The RUC/PSNI is committed to ensuring that it’s officers and staff behave according to the highest ethical standards and we are committed to working with PONI [Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland] to detect and address behaviour which falls below these standards,” he said. Police said their their investigation into Mr Kerr’s murder is continuing and again urged anyone with information to come forward, “particularly about the origin and sourcing of the component parts of the bomb”. “Since Ronan was killed, detectives have made a significant amount of progress relating to his murder and a series of linked incidents, including attempts to murder other police officers, a bomb attack, arms finds and armed robberies,” they said. “Our resolve and the resolve of Ronan’s family remains as strong today as it was on the day that Ronan was killed. “If you can assist in any way by providing information, please do so. It is the right thing to do. Ronan and his family deserve justice.”
With many thanks to: The Irish News and Brendan Hughes for the original story – b.hughes@irishnews.com
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THE family of a former IRA prisoner found dead in a police cell have said he was “the last person” likely to take his own life.
INQUEST: Óglach John Brady appearing in court prior to his death
The claim was made as an inquest into the death of Co Tyrone man John Brady opened in Omagh yesterday. Originally from Strabane, Mr Brady was found dead in a cell at Strand Road RUC/PSNI station in Co Derry in October 2009. It has been claimed he was approached by members of the RUC/PSNI’s C3 unit, formerly known as Special Branch, before his death. There has also been speculation that Mr Brady, who served a prison sentence for IRA offences and was later returned to jail after having his licence revoked, may have been put under pressure to become an informer (grass) before being found dead in the police station cell.
Members of the Real IRA (RIRA) give a final salute to their comrade Óglach John Brady
The Police Ombsudman, who investigated the case, has said there is no evidence to support the claims but confirmed that two intelligence officers did attempt to gain access to Mr Brady but were turned away by custody staff. At the time of his death Mr Brady was taking part in a pre-release scheme and had been allowed to return home at weekends. During yesterday’s hearing coroner Joe McCrisken was told that Mr Brady was arrested after a “scuffle” with his brother-in-law John Kennedy outside a primary school in Strabane.
Family members pay their final respects to Óglach John Brady as members of RIRA stand armed guard over the coffin
Mr Kennedy was listed as a witness at the inquest yesterday but failed to appear. In a statement he gave in 2009, which was read out in court, Mr Kennedy claimed that a fight broke out after he was confronted by his brother-in-law and that Mr Brady had threatened to shoot him. The inquest heard that after the altercation Mr Brady contacted prison officials who advised him to notify police. He also got in touch with a solicitor’s firm in Strabane.
Three comrades and members of the RIRA fire a volley of shots over the coffin of their member Óglach John Brady a final act of respect for his services to the Republican Movement
The dead man’s sister, Lorna Brady told the hearing that her brother had been “calm” when police arrested him in Strabane after the clash, with Mr Kennedy adding that “he was not in any way depressed”. “I was very shocked as John was the last person I would think would take his own life,” she said. In response to questions from a lawyer for the coroner, Ms Brady said there were no signs or warning that her brother would take his own life. Under questioning from the coroner, she also said her brother had no fear of returning to jail.
Members of the RIRA carrying the coffin of Óglach John Brady on his way to his way to his final burying ground beside his late father in Co Donegal
“He spent most of his adult life in jail and jail was not something he was scared of,” she said. The inquest heard that all efforts by the coroner service to trace Mr Kennedy, who left Strabane after Mr Brady’s death, had failed. In his statement, Mr Kennedy claimed that Mr Brady had instigated a fight close to the school at Barrack Street. He claimed that they struck each other around eight times during the altercation and that Mr Brady had threatened to shoot him. He described Mr Brady as a “dangerous man” and said “I am in fear for my life”.
The funeral possession of Óglach John Brady
Mr Brady’s now sister-in-law Briege Brady, who had been talking to him outside the school, gave evidence that Mr Kennedy called out ‘John’ at Mr Brady who then approached him. She said she then saw Mr Kennedy “swing a punch” at Mr Brady and heard him say “he was nothing but a f****r”.
With many thanks to: The Irish News and Connla Young for the original story
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An inquest into the death dramatically stopped in 2015 after it emerged one of the suspects had receiveda so-called comfort letter.
Gareth O’Connor, who disappeared near the Irish border in 2003 (Family handout/PA)
The police watchdog has concluded a probe around the death of a man after an inquest was halted when it emerged a suspect had been handed a comfort letter, a coroner has heard.
Gareth Paul O’Connor, 24, was last seen in May 2003 as he travelled to Dundalk Garda Station to sign in accordance with bail conditions after he was charged with membership of the Real IRA.
The father-of-two’s body was recovered from Newry canal two years later.
A police diving unit lorry parked beside Victoria Dock, Newry Canal where the remains of Gareth O’Connor were found (PA)
His family believe he was killed by the Provisional IRA.
An inquest into his death was dramatically halted in 2015 after it emerged during the proceedings that in 2008 a so-called comfort letter was mistakenly issued to a leading suspect.
That hearing was told that the letter was passed from the Government to Sinn Fein Assembly member Gerry Kelly, who then passed it to the individual who has been identified as a suspect in the killing of Mr O’Connor.
The on the run letter scheme saw 200 people told they were not wanted for paramilitary crimes committed before the Belfast Agreement in 1998.
The scheme came to light following the collapse of the 2014 trial of John Downey over the 1982 IRA bombing of Hyde Park.
The inquest into Mr O’Connor’s death was then postponed with then Coroner John Leckey stating the matter would have to be investigated further with a view to a criminal prosecution.
On Friday during a series of reviews into outstanding legacy inquests at Belfast Coroner’s Court, it emerged that the Police Ombudsman’s office (PONI) has completed an investigation into the case.
“Our investigation has concluded,” counsel for PONI told Presiding Coroner Siobhan Keegan.
A lawyer acting for the O’Connor family said the inquest “was ready to go” in 2015, before a “completely unforeseen incident stopped it in its tracks”.
He said there are no ongoing civil or criminal proceedings in the case.
The review hearing was also told that the inquest into Mr O’Connor’s death had originally been listed for three days, but additional material has been gathered since then.
Mrs Justice Keegan said: “This case was set up for inquest in 2015 and then there were certain developments and sensitive discovery that led to it not taking place … I am being told that there is no impediment to going ahead due to a criminal investigation which hasn’t produced anything yet.”
Mrs Justice Keegan has been hearing reviews into a number of legacy inquests over the last three weeks, and is due to propose how the outstanding cases will be heard in the coming weeks.
Northern Ireland’s Justice Department plans to release £55 million over six years to deal with outstanding legacy inquests.
A Police Ombudsman spokesman told the PA news agency that the report into Mr O’Connor’s death has not yet been made public.
With many thanks to the: Belfast Telegraph and Rebecca Black PA for the original story
This website is completely a freelance website all of the news on this site is brought to you personally by me with no donations. I would like to request for personal donations to help me keep it up and running. please consider donating £5 https://www.paypal.me/KevinMeehan
This website is completely a freelance website all of the news on this site is brought to you personally by me with no donations. I would like to request for personal donations to help me keep it up and running. please consider donating £5 https://www.paypal.me/KevinMeehan
Despitea large Garda presence in Dromiskin and later at graveyard where armed free state terrorists were hiding behind trees Vol Seamus McGrane gota great send off. Rest In Peace Seamus.
With many thanks to: Thomas Lynch for the original posting
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Leader of the RIRA Seamus McGrane found guilty of directing terrorism and membership of an illegal organization
A dissident republican who was jailed for plotting a bomb attack during Prince Charles’ visit to Ireland in 2015 has died in prison.
Sixty-four-year-old Seamus McGrane, who was sentenced to 11-and-a-half years in prison in 2017, died on Saturday.
He was a leader of the Real IRA – a group responsible for numerous atrocities including the Omagh bomb.
The Irish Prison Service said no foul play was suspected in relation to his death.
“As with all deaths in custody the Prison Service, the Inspector of Prisons and An Garda Síochána will be investigating the incident,” a spokesperson said.
With many thanks to: BBCNI for the original story
Dissident republican jailed on explosive charges in run-up to Prince Charles’ visit
Image captionBomb-making equipment was seized as part of the investigation
A 25-year-old dissident republican has been jailed in Dublin for five years.
Donal Ó Coisdealbha from Killester, north Dublin was arrested on explosive charges in the run-up to the visit of Prince Charles to Ireland in 2015.
Ó Coisdealbha admitted to the Dublin’s Special Criminal Court that he was a dissident republican.
He was arrested during a Garda operation when explosive devices, improvised rockets, detonators, timing units and Semtex were discovered.
It was six days before the visit of Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall to the west of Ireland in May 2015.
Image captionImprovised rockets were also discovered as part of the investigation
O’Coisdealbha had been under audio and visual surveillance for five months and was seen meeting convicted republicans in a pub near Dublin airport and in the city centre. He was also seen acting suspiciously at the back of Glasnevin Cemetery in north Dublin.
Gardaí (Irish police) believe an attack had been planned to coincide with the royal visit.
This website is completely a freelance website all of the news on this site is brought to you personally by me with no donations. I would like to request for personal donations to help me keep it up and running. please consider donating £5 https://www.paypal.me/KevinMeehan
Three Real IRA members have been declared bankrupt for failing to pay £1.6m to the victims of the 1998 Omagh bombing.
Yesterday’s High Court ruling in Dublin is the first time in the world that terrorists have been declared bankrupt for refusing to compensate their victims.
The three are former Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt, whom the court heard is terminally ill with cancer; former Real IRA director of operations Liam Campbell, and alleged bomb co-ordinator Colm Murphy.
They have also been ordered to pay the hundreds of thousands of euros in costs for the bomb victims.
The case will now be transferred to the Republic’s bankruptcy assignee, who will likely liquidate the assets of the three men and transfer the money to the Omagh families.
A fourth man, Real IRA bomber Seamus Daly, is facing similar bankruptcy proceedings in Northern Ireland.
A court in Belfast had found the four men liable for the 1998 Omagh bombing in which 29 people were killed, including a mother nine months pregnant with twins.
More than 200 people were injured in the outrage, some blinded or maimed for life.
The High Court in Dublin recognised that Belfast judgment and the financial battle against the trio moved to the Republic.
Justice Teresa Pilkington yesterday declared that the three had not properly responded to the bankruptcy proceedings and were not entitled to another adjournment.
Breda Devine, 20 months
The court heard that Campbell sent a letter on February 14 to John O’Donnell, the barrister for the Omagh families, saying that he had applied for legal aid in 2018 and was waiting to hear back if a lawyer would be appointed to him.
Mr O’Donnell said it was odd that Mr Campbell would apply for legal aid three years after the case moved to the High Court in Dublin.
McKevitt gave no response to a letter from the Omagh families seeking a full response to the bankruptcy case but indicated, through his legal representatives, that he is “terminally ill” and was not in a position to give a full affidavit to the court.
Julie Hughes, aged 21
He said that his wife, Bernadette Sands McKevitt, may be able to draft an affidavit outlining what assets he holds.
The court heard that Murphy had not given any response to the court.
Mr O’Donnell complained to Justice Pilkington that McKevitt’s submission followed several hearings in which there were “last-minute” submissions from the three men and said McKevitt had been given adequate warning about yesterday’s hearing.
Mary Grimes, aged 65
Justice Pilkington said the submission from McKevitt’s wife would be of “no utility at all” and that she would grant the bankruptcy against all three men.
She noted that Campbell had submitted only a “very short letter”, was seeking “an open-ended” delay in the case, was not present in court nor had made any other submission.
She noted that Murphy personally owes €439,224 to quantity surveyor Mark Breslin, who lost his wife Geraldine (43) in the bombing, following an earlier hearing on his assets.
All four men were found by the High Court in Belfast to be responsible in a civil action for the 1998 car bombing.
Sir Declan Morgan ruled in Belfast that the Real IRA had planted the car bomb and gave inadequate and contradictory warnings that sent shoppers in the wrong direction, towards the car bomb, which exploded just after 3pm on Saturday, August 15, 1998.
It was the single worst atrocity of the Troubles and came just months after people on both sides of the Irish border voted in favour of the Good Friday peace agreement.
Justice Pilkington said she was aware of the “unfortunate background” of the case but had to view it as a debtor and bankruptcy case.
With many thanks to the: Belfast Telegraph for the original story
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