British blamed for ‘assassination attempt’

Republicans in Derry have stepped up their security after what they believe was an assassination attempt on a senior ‘Real IRA’ figure.

It is believed that an undercover British Crown force operative called to the man’s home while he was out.

Neighbours reported seeing a masked man with a wig and a peaked cap at the republican’s front door on Saturday night.

A spokesman for the 32 County Sovereignty Movement said: “When the neighbours opened the door, the man became anxious and turned away. He then started rummaging with something in his hand which was concealed under his coat.

“He quickly moved to the getaway car which had done a u-turn while he was at the door. He got in and the car sped off. We’re putting it down to an assassination attempt by the British forces. We have all stepped up our security in light of what has happened.”

He added that the incident ties in with reports of undercover British army activity in East Tyrone in recent weeks involving incidents in which similar estate cars were seen in suspicious circumstances near the homes of republican militants.

RECRUITMENT BID

Meanwhile, a Derry man has revealed that he was offered ‘a briefcase full of money’ by members of the PSNI police if he would turn informer.

The man from the Creggan area of the town, who does not want to be named, said that he was arrested last Monday morning for unpaid fines.

“They told me that if I didn’t pay they were taking me straight to Maghaberry [jail]”, he said. “I did not have the money so I gathered a few things together and was placed in the back of a landrover.”

The journey was long and wayward, he said.

“They kept saying that they did not want me to give them information to put anyone in prison, they just wanted to stop any other attacks like the one on [PSNI man] Jim Doherty.

“There was a briefcase lying in the front, I had noticed it when I got into the car, it had a chain connected either to a handle in the car or else to the policewoman.

“She reached in and took out a bundle of notes and handed them to the guy sitting next to me.

“I wouldn’t take him on and he hit me in the face with them. The one thing I noticed was the distinctive smell of the money. I could see there was a big pile of twenty pound notes.”

The Creggan man went on: “They kept telling me I could have a blank cheque if I worked for them. They also threatened to arrest my partner and try and get me into trouble with the Housing Executive and the like if I did not co-operate.”

A spokesperson for the 32 County Sovereignty Movement said: “This case shows that the RUC/PSNI are still intent on trying to recruit young nationalists. We would call on anyone who is approached to come forward immediately and let us know.”

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