This report has the ring of truth. It's interesting that a multi-million dollar bank robbery has had such an impact after so many years of terrorism, gangsterism and virtual civil war produced so much denial.
Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness, the Sinn Fein leaders, were publicly named as members of the IRA's Army Council in an unprecedented move by the Irish government yesterday.Posted by Alan at February 21, 2005 01:12 AMThe public naming will heap even greater damage on republicans after a week of allegations over IRA involvement in crime.
The Provisionals, once regarded as staunch defenders of the Roman Catholic community, are rapidly losing all credibility over allegations of theft, murder and money laundering to bankroll Sinn Fein's political ambitions.
Michael McDowell, the Irish justice minister, named Mr Adams, Mr McGuinness and Martin Ferris, the Kerry MP, as members of the seven man ruling IRA Army Council during a radio interview at the weekend.
The body gives the orders for all major IRA tactical actions, including sanctioning robberies, purchase of weapons and targeting.
In answer to who he thought was on the IRA Army Council, Mr McDowell said: We're talking about a small group of people, including a number of elected representatives, who run the whole [Republican] movement.
"We're talking about Martin McGuinness, Gerry Adams, Martin Ferris and others."
Before the £26 million Northern Bank robbery, Mr McDowell was almost alone among Irish politicians forcibly to demand an end to IRA criminality. He took a harder line than both the British and Irish governments who maintained a policy of turning a blind-eye to many IRA activities in the interests of the political process.
Mr McDowell said that many professionals, including lawyers, accountants and financiers, were connected to the IRA's money laundering operation which led to the Garda discovering almost £3 million in cash last week.