‘Real IRA’ claim over Cork drug dealer

A claim has been made in the name of the breakaway ‘Real IRA’ that it killed a ganglord in Cork city in the south of Ireland.

The statement was reportedly passed to the Cork Evening Echo by members of the 32 County Sovereignty Movement in the city.

Gerard ‘Topper’ Stanton, reputed to be a major drug dealer in the city, died after being shot by a lone gunman outside his home last Wednesday.

The killing comes against a background of record drug-related crime levels both in Corm and Dublin.

In its statement to the Cork Evening Echo, the group threatened further action against drug dealers.

“In our last statement, we warned drug dealers to cease their activities, but despite several individuals stopping following lengthy interrogation by ourselves, there were those who chose to continue.

“We warned them that our actions would speak louder than a thousand words and last week was testament to that.”

It goes on to say that although targeting drug dealers is not the group’s priority, “on this occasion our hand was forced.”

Leaflets were distributed throughout Cork last September in the name of the ‘Real IRA’, threatening to kill drug dealers.

The statement warned of “military action” against the crime gangs.

“For those who still have a chance to stop today, we ask you to embrace this opportunity or run the risk of suffering the same fate.

“This was not a one-off and we would like to reiterate that we will strike when we are ready and not when it is expected of us.

“When we do strike, it is not vigilante or gangland activity but military action.”

Urgent Appeal