IRA investigates stolen guns
The IRA has revealed that it is investigating the theft of ``a small
amount'' of its weaponry which was stolen by individuals who resigned
from Oglaigh na hEireann over a year ago.
In a statement, released on Wednesday 3 February, the IRA says it has
carried out a thorough investigation into the theft and recovered
most of the stolen weapons.
It also accused those involved in taking the weapons of attempting to
``derail our investigation'' by visiting the homes of republican
supporters and threatening their families.
The IRA investigation is thought to centre on a number of individuals
who left Oglaigh na hEireann and became involved with the grouping
responsible for the Omagh bomb.
In an interview with An Phoblacht last September the IRA called on
this grouping to disband saying, ``this grouping have done only
disservice to the republican cause. They have no coherent political
strategy... In the immediate aftermath of the Omagh bomb they
announced a temporary halt to their actions. This is insufficient.
They should disband and they should do so sooner rather than later''.
The full text of the IRA statement reads: ``Following thorough
investigations over a prolonged period the IRA has established that a
small amount of its weaponry has been stolen by some individuals who
resigned from the IRA over a year ago.
``The weapons involved were secretly misappropriated by these
individuals prior to their defection.
``In an attempt to derail our investigations those involved have
recently visited the homes of some republican supporters and their
families.
``We have recovered some, but not all, of the stolen weapons.
``The IRA will continue its investigations until all the missing
weaponry has been recovered''.
P O'Neill, Irish Republican Publicity Bureau, Dublin.
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