Arrests of suspected Real IRA members a blow to group's 'already weak structures'

The arrests of two suspected members of the Real IRA in Cork is a further blow to the “already weak structures” of the group in the area, a prominent academic on dissident republicans has said.These concealments or “hides” have been traditionally used by paramilitaries to store explosives, weapons, and ammunition deep underground.Gardaí did not find explosives or weapons in the search. Two men were arrested in the operation, which was led by Cork gardaí, assisted by the Special Detective Unit in Dublin.The suspects, who are aged in their 40s and from Cork City, were arrested on suspicion of being members of a proscribed organisation.They were held under Section 30 of the Offences of the State Act, which allows for a maximum detention period of 48 hours.Dieter Reinisch, a lecturer in terrorism who has conducted research among dissident republican groups, said Cork is the only part of the island with a “notable presence” of the Real IRA.When a number of dissident republican outfits merged to form the New IRA in 2012 they included the bulk of Real IRA cells, on both sides of the border.“Cork has been the only area where a majority refused to join the newly-established New IRA,” Mr Reinisch said.He said the south and the west of Ireland have historically always been areas used to the support paramilitary violence in the North, by providing logistics, arms dumps, and training camps.“Such facilities are still operated in these areas,” he said.Commenting on the discovery of the concealments, he said: “There is no indication that the remnants of the Real IRA show signs of immediate attacks.  While individuals might envision a new armed campaign, the group knows that this is simply not sustainable due to their weakness and regional isolation. Mr Reinisch, a university lecturer in terrorism studies based in Belfast and Vienna, said some Real IRA members have departed to other dissident groups."These new arrests are a further blow to the already weak structures of dissident republicanism in Co Cork,” he said. Asked what might be the purpose of the concealments, he said: “Why do they maintain an armed wing and prepare arms dumps? "The answers can be found first in the history and ideology of armed republicanism and the idea to keep armed structures alive for future generations.“Second, to maintain a sense of power and influence in dealing with other republican groups as well as criminals in the area. "Because such republican groups consider themselves as protectors of their imagined communities against criminal elements."On Monday night, members from Cork City and county divisions, along with the Crime Special Branch in Cork City and regional units, including the Armed Support Unit, carried out an operation targeting “dissident republican activity” north of the city.It is understood that one man was arrested by armed officers as he tried to make an escape and a second man was arrested after his vehicle was stopped nearby.A search was carried out of forest area and adjoining lands between Glenville and Carrignavar villages, some 11km north of the city.During the search gardaí uncovered “elaborate concealments” being manufactured.On Tuesday follow-up searches were carried out at eight homes across Cork City, with Garda units assisted by the Garda Dog Unit and Garda Air Support Unit.Former Real IRA leader in Cork, Aidan “the Beast” O’Driscoll, was shot dead on a busy street in Cork City in December 2016, after being suspected of associating with the New IRA.

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