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Fears grow of increased Real IRA drugs war
Wednesday, 10 February 2010
Gardai are cracking down on suspected dissident republicans in the Republic as fears grow of a turf war between the Real IRA and drug gangs.
The Garda move has targeted specific areas of Cork city and county and came less than a fortnight after the Real IRA claimed it was behind the execution-style shooting of convicted drug dealer Ger Stanton (42).
From 7am yesterday, teams of gardai conducted carefully planned raids and searches on homes, business premises and storage sheds at a number of locations in Cork city and the north of the county.
Sixty uniformed officers were involved in the raids which were co-ordinated by Garda intelligence on suspected dissident republicans and their supporters.
A number of premises associated with suspected drug gang leaders were also targeted.
It is understood that gardai made a number of seizures, including documentation, leaflets and military-style publicity material.
Gardai also seized a sum of cash, several imitation firearms and a small quantity of drugs.
No-one was arrested during the course of the operation but gardai refused to rule out arrests at a future date.
The documents seized will now be thoroughly examined by Irish detectives though it remains unclear what action, if any, will now follow.
A senior Garda source said the operation was prompted by concerns that dissident republicans have been making determined efforts to broaden their support base in the Cork area — and that elements of the Real IRA have been trying to bring ‘turf' under their control in both Dublin and Cork to boost their income.
The raid came just 72 hours after the 32 County Sovereignty Movement distributed leaflets in some Cork pubs warning that drug dealers were now being targeted in the area.
The leaflet — which featured a classic paramilitary propaganda design — bluntly warned that drug dealers who refused to desist from their operations would now face being dealt with by “judge and executioner” if necessary.
However, gardai have “serious doubts” over the Real IRA claim that they were behind the shooting of Ger Stanton on January 20 last in Wilton, Cork.
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There will neve be piece on this Island never. To much history. Its just one big mess that the Brits created. To be honest we dont want Northern Ireland it would cost us to much to run the place. And the English, Scots & Welsh dont want you.
Posted by Brian | 11.02.10, 13:59 GMT
If you don't want violent criminals profiting from drugs, don't grant a monopoly in the drugs market to violent criminals. However much you may hate drugs and those who use or deal them, you just need to look at the statistics to see that prohibition has failed to prevent or even to make a dent in the drug trade, and if they were legally regulated, with effective harm reduction programmes in place, we would be a much safer society. Yes, drug abuse is bad, but prohibition has consistently made the problem worse by empowering and enriching thugs like these.
Posted by David | 11.02.10, 13:25 GMT
Liam - you are an idiot with that comment about bringing shame on the IRA. The IRA have brought plenty of shame on themselves.
Posted by Wally | 10.02.10, 20:15 GMT
Some thugs murder some other thugs. Now tell us again, why are we supposed to care?
Posted by neil in waterford | 10.02.10, 18:26 GMT
good things to do!!!
drug dealers are scum bags!!!
Posted by Leo | 10.02.10, 14:59 GMT
Well said Russell. But remeber there are folk who breath the same air as us who think the likes of Bin Laden, McGuinness etc were "freedom fighters". The mind boggles.
Anyway, at least we know what's really at the heart of the republican movement. Peddling drugs...
Posted by mark's nemesis | 10.02.10, 14:51 GMT
it shows we have scum in our community as well, look around you terrorists and ex terrorists have never been so well of ,they try and keep trouble going to have less interference when selling thier drugs.
Posted by patrick | 10.02.10, 13:18 GMT
well said whats it matter. Also, they bring shame on the ira. What planet are you on? You mean the massacre of children and women and men, many innocent civilians, is not shameful?
sick.
Posted by stve | 10.02.10, 12:33 GMT
I'm not trying to be controversial, but with Policing and Justice powers being transferred on April 12th, how are Sinn Fein going to deal with the issue of tackling drugs on the streets as the IRA were the main importer and distributor of illegal drugs for the past 20 odd years?
I'm just saying, if SF are part of our new Policing and Justice system, then they have to support it, and if all of their ex-colleagues have gone clean (because the IRA has gone away hasn't it?) then surely they will have nothing to worrry about as they will now all be abbiding by the law?
Sorry, I have to go, I think I just saw a pig fly past my window!! :-)
Posted by Steven73 | 10.02.10, 11:42 GMT
Whats it matter if you are a Republician fighter or a Loyalist fighter,fact is you are all criminal scum who break the laws selling drugs for money. We should show them all no mercy, lock them up and throw away the keys. Derek Rollins Melbourne
Posted by Whats it matter | 10.02.10, 10:56 GMT
'they bring shame on the IRA'
from someone here. You have to laugh at the delusion necessary
in order to make that statement.
And at the Tele for passing it on.
Posted by russell | 10.02.10, 10:24 GMT
A united Ireland with knock down smack prices you wont beleive! what are the RIRA doing down in Cork anyway, the deep south of the republic isnt exactly flush with Crown forces.
Posted by MoMo | 10.02.10, 10:04 GMT
Oh right - I always thought it was only Loyalists who dealt drugs, surely the Real IRA cant be involved in the sordid trade given it's made up of Ex PIRA and I mean we all know those boys were never in for the money!
Posted by Ian | 10.02.10, 10:02 GMT
So it appears the real ira are no more than a drugs gang, and far from helping residents they are getting rid of thier opposition, they bring shame on the ira,
Posted by liam | 10.02.10, 07:00 GMT