N. IRELAND: THE REAL IRA ADMIT PLANTING BOMB IN OMAGH

(18 Aug 1998) English/Nat

A splinter group of the Irish Republican Army calling itself the 'Real I-R-A' has admitted to planting the bomb in Omagh that killed 28 people and injured 220.

The admission confirmed prevalent suspicions that the hardline republican faction, which opposes the April peace accord in the province, was behind the attack.

Expressing their dismay at the attack, Loyalist politicians said they feared that Loyalist paramilitaries may soon feel it necessary to break their own cease fire in response.

Belfast's Shankhill Road lies in the heart of what is considered Protestant Loyalist territory.

Huge paramilitary murals depicting guerrillas wielding rifles are a common backdrop behind the regular scenes of city life.

Many in the area likely had their suspicions confirmed when on Tuesday, a Republican splinter group claimed responsibility for Saturday's deadly bombing in Omagh that killed 28.

A breakaway group of the Irish Republican Army called the 'Real I-R-A' said it was responsible for the deadly attack, at the same time apologising for the horrific death toll.

As the people of Northern Ireland still grapple with the killings, the knowledge of who did it will do little to placate their anger and disgust.

Two key Protestant politicians who played a role in the Northern Ireland peace accord expressed their disgust over the attack.

John White, a member of the Ulster Democratic Party, said the Loyalist community has reacted with shock and sadness over the latest violence.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Immediately upon hearing of the bombing, there was quite a bit of anger within the community, but it was controlled anger. And the overriding view of most people in this community is not to do anything that will make the situation any worse and certainly not to do anything that would exacerbate the grief that the victims and their families are going through at this moment in time.
SUPER CAPTION: John White, Ulster Democratic Party

White, himself is a former member of the Ulster Freedom Fighter paramilitaries, served 21 years in prison for a double murder.

He still maintains a dialogue with the guerrilla group and says he is hopeful their current policy of restraint will hold.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Common sense is prevailing. The Loyalist paramilitary groupings who I would be close to are saying very clearly that they don't want to be drawn into the conflict, which would be the hopes of the people who planted this bomb. They certainly don't want to do anything to exacerbate the situation also and cause further grief to anyone. So I'm very hopeful that the Loyalist cease fire from the U-F-F's point of view will remain intact."
SUPER CAPTION: John White, Ulster Democratic Party

But other Loyalists fear that the latest sectarian violence - the worst in the province's three decades of fighting - will spark even more bloodshed.

David Ervine, Progressive Unionist Party member and also a former paramilitary fighter, said the Loyalist cease fire may not hold if republican violence continues.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
SUPER CAPTION: David Ervine, Progressive Unionist Party

Neither side is sure of the future, even now with the knowledge of who carried out the latest carnage.

But at least they can try to get some answers as to why - in the midst of peace efforts - yet more lives in Northern Ireland were sacrificed.

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