Tag: New IRA
Lone Wolf all alone in prison as dissident gangs shun her
DISSIDENT lone wolf Christine Connor was given the cold shoulder when she returned to prison this week.
Follow this link to find out more: https://m.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3270285516384533&id=100002093504519&st=14
The Sunday World can reveal she was ignored by some inmates after it was revealed she had been slagging of members of Óghlaigh na hÉireann on social media for not murdering members of the PSNI/RUC. The 35-year-old called ONH out for failing to kill a cop, claiming they weren’t committed to the armed struggle, just making money. Connor was taken under the wing of the NIRA when she was first imprisoned with Soaradh campaigning on her behalf when she claimed she was being mistreated behind bars. She fell in with the then Real IRA, which is now the current day NIRA, after sharing a cell in Hydebank Prison with Sharon Rafferty who befriended a terrified Connor. Rafferty was was the first person to be jailed in the North of Ireland under terror laws brought in to combat home-grown Islamic extremism.
SUPPORTIVE
Rafferty, who now sits on the board of Saoradh, was one of a gang of four jailed for a string of terrorist-related offences including the setting up for a training camp at Formil Wood on the outskirts of Omagh, Co Tyrone. Sources say she is still supportive of Connor.
“Sharon has kept in touch and Soaradh has to because she is a prisoner of war, it’s their duty, but she is hard work, completely delusional.” Sources say Connor is already struggling inside and is unpopular with fellow inmates. And this time she is alone, with no fellow dissident to share her cell and offer her support and protection. The last time she was behind bars she was repeatedly threatened and attacked by a fellow inmate. “She is not on a republican wing, she is with (ODC) the criminals and the majority of them hate republicans guts and they hate her. “There are some very dangerous people in there and to some of them she is IRA SCUM.”
With many thanks to the Sunday World and Paula Mackin for the EXCLUSIVE original story
Follow these links to find out more: https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sunday-life/news/touts-framed-me-claims-desperate-dissident-bomber-christine-connor-39416150.html
(3)-: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/uk-northern-ireland-50761189
DISSIDENT BOSS SAYS LYRA GUN IS ‘CLEAN’
EXCLUSIVE
DISSY chief Thomas Ashe Mellon has insisted the Lyra McKee murder weapon is clean, a source has claimed
Terror boss Mellon has assured dissident pals cops will find nothing on the pistol that will link the teenage shooter believed to have blasted the young journalist to death.
The Sunday World understands he insists the gun was “professionally cleaned” in the wake of the fatal shooting in Derry’s Creggan estate. When summoned to a meeting in Belfast last week by his dissident cohorts, he said this was the reason why the gun was not taken out of Derry as instructed. He claimed that because it was forensically wiped, it was better off within reach of his Derry unit considering the availability of weapons was so restricted. The Sunday World revealed on the anniversary of the Belfast women’s murder that the gun was still in Derry and within reach of the killer gang. While members of the Collective Leadership of the NIRA were unconvinced by Mellon last week, they had no option but to swallow the explanation safe in the knowledge that if they acted against Mellon they would loose Derry completely.
“They knew, as did Tommy, that if they moved on him then he would have walked Derry firmly behind. “If Tommy goes then so does Derry, he will have their support. He already operates on his own effectively giving two fingers to lads on a regular basis and he has done it again,” said a Derry dissident.
“The IRA do not like do not like what Thomas is doing, setting his own agendas, ignoring orders such as no operations during this pandemic thing, but they need Derry and without Thomas, at this stage anyway, there is no Derry without him,” he revealed. Crisis talks have taken place with members of the organisation publicly raising their concerns that their were informers within the ranks. This comes after we revealed last week that Derry were in the firing line after a series of botched jobs, four in recent months, with the most concerning being the discovery of the Hammerli X-Esse pistol (pictured above). The Sunday World can also reveal that the levels of paranoia and suspicion has increased after last week’s article exposing the chinks in the criminal gang.
With many thanks to the: Sunday World and the EXCLUSIVE story from Paula Mackin for the original story
‘No misconduct’ in RUC/PSNI handling of officer’s affair with ally of gang linked to Ronan Kerr murder
RUC/PSNI close to Ronan Kerr’s 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,
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Ronan Kerr investigation
1/6 Assault rifle from Mountjoy Road seizure
All pictures
With many thanks to: The Journal for the original story
Probe call into RUC/PSNI officer’s affair with associate of gang linked to Ronan Kerr 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
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.
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
USELESS VIOLENCE
‘IRA” says it struck police vehicle with EFP (explosively formed projectile).
THE Republican paramilitary group known as the ‘IRA’ last night claimed it was “confident” it struck an RUC/PSNI vehicle with an EFP mortar in Strabane last week.
In a statement the organisation, sometimes referred to as the ‘New IRA’, said it fired the potentially lethal device at the passing patrol car at Townsend Street in the Tyrone town last Tuesday night. The group claims the EFP (explosively formed projectile) mortar contained Semtex and was triggered by command wire and fired from a distance of nine feet at the police vehicle as it passed at around 8pm. The ‘IRA’ claims that the mortar was moved from another location in the border town earlier on Tuesday after the security forces failed to show up.
Using a recognised codeword, the republican group claimed that an attempt to target a police car with the same device at Townsend Street was abandoned an hour before the attack because of the prescence of civillian vehicles in the area. The RUC/PSNI has said that the device, which it described as a “roadside bomb with command wire attached” was “designed to kill or seriously injure” its officers. Three officers who were travelling in the vehicle were uninjured but believed to be left shaken. The RUC/PSNI vehicle left the area after the attack and police were later criticised for failing to cordon off the scenne for three hours.
Several people were removed from their homes during a follow up operation but later allowed to return. Politicians have condemned the latest attack which came just weeks after the ‘IRA’ tried to kill a Catholic police officer in Derry using an undercar bomb. Policing Board member and SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan said: “Such attacks on the PSNI (RUC) have no place in a modern progressive society.” DUP MLA Tom Buchánan said: “There must be a united and resolute stand from right across the political spectrum to such activities.”
In August 2015, a motar was discovered and disarmed at a cemetery in Strabane after a security operation. EFPs, which can pierce armour over a long distance, have been used by the ‘IRA’ in Derry and Belfast in the past. On those occasions no-one was injured. Unexploded EFPs have also been recovered by the security forces accross the north. Believed to have been developed in Iran, the homemade weapon was regularly used in Iraq. It is considered by some as the modern version of the horizontal mortar – known to republicans as a ‘doodle bug’ – which was used by the Provisionals. Meanwhile, police have been given additional time to question a 20-year-old man arrested in Newtownstewart in connection with the attack last week, while a 31-year-old man arrested on Saturday continued to be questioned last night.
With many thanks to: The Irish News, for the orgional story.
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