Óglaigh na hÉireann (Continuity Irish Republican Army splinter group)

For other uses, see Óglaigh na hÉireann.

Óglaigh na hÉireann was the title taken by a small dissident republican paramilitary group that formed in 2006 as a splinter group from the Continuity IRA.^[1] According to Martyn Frampton this faction has ceased operations since 2009.^[2] It should not be confused with the Real IRA faction of the same name that began using the same title in 2009.

In February 2006, the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC) reported that a new republican group, styling itself Óglaigh na hÉireann, had been formed, along with another organisation, Saoirse na hÉireann, after a split from the Continuity Irish Republican Army. The report stated Óglaigh na hÉireann was responsible for an assault, several hoax devices, and the robbery of a post office during October–December 2005.^[3]

The IMC reported that, during September–November 2006, Óglaigh na hÉireann was responsible for two pipe bomb attacks on the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), numerous bomb hoaxes and a tiger kidnapping.^[4] The IMC reported that Óglaigh na hÉireann was responsible for leaving three pipe bombs outside the homes of PSNI officers and members of District Policing Partnerships in Strabane, County Tyrone in April 2007, a pipe bomb attack on Strabane PSNI station in July 2007 and a failed pipe bomb attack on Strabane PSNI station in December 2007.

The IMC blamed Óglaigh na hÉireann for killing one of its own members, Andrew Burns, in County Donegal on 12 February. It is thought that Burns was shot dead after an internal feud within the organisation.^[5] In the same report the IMC reported Óglaigh na hÉireann had attacked PSNI officers and members of District Policing Partnerships.^[6]

On 14 May 2008 Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Shaun Woodward, announced that he would seek in parliament for Óglaigh na hÉireann to be specified under the terms of the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act, 1998.^[7]

On 3 January 2009, Óglaigh na hÉireann were believed to have been responsible for an attempted robbery in west Belfast, during which a family was held at gunpoint.^[8] Later the same month a 300 lb car bomb was abandoned in Castlewellan village, causing a five day security alert.

See also

• Timeline of Continuity Irish Republican Army actions
• Timeline of Real Irish Republican Army actions

References

1. ^ Frampton, Martyn (2010). "The Return of the Militants: Violent Dissident Republicanism". International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation and Political Violence (ICSR). p. 5. http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/othelem/organ/docs/frampton10icsr.pdf. Retrieved 8 February 2011. 
2. ^ Frampton, Martyn (2010). "The Return of the Militants: Violent Dissident Republicanism". International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation and Political Violence (ICSR). pp. 2–3. http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/othelem/organ/docs/frampton10icsr.pdf. Retrieved 8 February 2011. 
3. ^ Eighth Report of the Independent Monitoring Commission, London: The Stationery Office, 1 February 2006, ISBN 978-0-10-293702-2, http://www.independentmonitoringcommission.org/documents/uploads/8th%20IMC%20Report.pdf, retrieved 14 May 2008 
4. ^ Thirteenth Report of the Independent Monitoring Commission, London: The Stationery Office, 30 January 2007, ISBN 978-0-10-294431-0, http://www.independentmonitoringcommission.org/documents/uploads/Thirteenth%20Report.pdf, retrieved 14 May 2008 
5. ^ McDonald, Henry (14 February 2008). "Member of Real IRA found shot dead in churchyard". The Guardian (London). http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/feb/14/northernireland.northernireland. 
6. ^ Eighteenth Report of the Independent Monitoring Commission, London: The Stationery Office, 1 May 2008, ISBN 978-0-10-295409-8, http://www.independentmonitoringcommission.org/documents/uploads/18.%20Eighteenth%20Report.pdf, retrieved 14 May 2008 
7. ^ Parliamentary Debates, House of Commons, 14 May 2008, column 1370.
8. ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7811711.stm Splinter group blamed for threat