Óglaigh na hÉireann (CIRA splinter group)
Encyclopedia
Óglaigh na hÉireann was the title taken by a small dissident
republican
paramilitary
group that formed in 2006 as a splinter group from the Continuity IRA. According to Martyn Frampton this faction has ceased operations since 2009. It should not be confused with the Real IRA faction of the same name
that began using the same title in 2009.
In February 2006, the Independent Monitoring Commission
(IMC) reported that a new republican group, styling itself Óglaigh na hÉireann, had been formed, along with another organisation, Saoirse na hÉireann
, after a split from the Continuity Irish Republican Army
. The report stated Óglaigh na hÉireann was responsible for an assault, several hoax
devices, and the robbery of a post office during October–December 2005.
The IMC reported that, during September–November 2006, Óglaigh na hÉireann was responsible for two pipe bomb
attacks on the Police Service of Northern Ireland
(PSNI), numerous bomb hoaxes and a tiger kidnapping
. The IMC reported that Óglaigh na hÉireann was responsible for leaving three pipe bomb
s outside the homes of PSNI officers and members of District Policing Partnerships in Strabane
, County Tyrone
in April 2007, a pipe bomb attack on Strabane PSNI station in July 2007 and a failed pipe bomb attack on Strabane PSNI station in December 2007.
The IMC blamed Óglaigh na hÉireann for killing one of its own members, Andrew Burns, in County Donegal
on 12 February. It is thought that Burns was shot dead after an internal feud within the organisation. In the same report the IMC reported Óglaigh na hÉireann had attacked PSNI officers and members of District Policing Partnerships.
On 14 May 2008 Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
, Shaun Woodward
, announced that he would seek in parliament
for Óglaigh na hÉireann to be specified under the terms of the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act, 1998.
On 3 January 2009, Óglaigh na hÉireann were believed to have been responsible for an attempted robbery in west Belfast
, during which a family was held at gunpoint. Later the same month a 300 lb car bomb was abandoned in Castlewellan village, causing a five day security alert.
Dissident republican
The term dissident republican or anti-ceasefire republican is used to describe Irish republicans who do not support the current peace agreements in Ireland. Some dispute the validity of both parliaments on the island The term dissident republican or anti-ceasefire republican is used to describe...
republican
Irish Republicanism
Irish republicanism is an ideology based on the belief that all of Ireland should be an independent republic.In 1801, under the Act of Union, the Kingdom of Great Britain and the Kingdom of Ireland merged to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland...
paramilitary
Paramilitary
A paramilitary is a force whose function and organization are similar to those of a professional military, but which is not considered part of a state's formal armed forces....
group that formed in 2006 as a splinter group from the Continuity IRA. According to Martyn Frampton this faction has ceased operations since 2009. It should not be confused with the Real IRA faction of the same name
Óglaigh na hÉireann (Real IRA splinter group)
Óglaigh na hÉireann is the title taken by a small dissident Irish republican paramilitary that formed in 2009 as a faction within the Real Irish Republican Army, although it claims to be independent of the Real IRA...
that began using the same title in 2009.
In February 2006, the Independent Monitoring Commission
Independent Monitoring Commission
The Independent Monitoring Commission was an organization founded on 7 January 2004, by an agreement between the British and Irish governments, signed in Dublin on 25 November 2003...
(IMC) reported that a new republican group, styling itself Óglaigh na hÉireann, had been formed, along with another organisation, Saoirse na hÉireann
Saoirse na hÉireann
Saoirse na hÉireann , abbreviated SnaÉ, is a small Irish republican paramilitary group that formed in 2005 and mainly contains young republicans from the Belfast area....
, after a split from the Continuity Irish Republican Army
Continuity Irish Republican Army
The Continuity Irish Republican Army, otherwise known as the Continuity IRA and styling itself as Óglaigh na hÉireann, is an Irish republican paramilitary organisation that aims to bring about a united Ireland. It emerged from a split in the Provisional IRA in 1986 but did not become active until...
. The report stated Óglaigh na hÉireann was responsible for an assault, several hoax
Hoax
A hoax is a deliberately fabricated falsehood made to masquerade as truth. It is distinguishable from errors in observation or judgment, or rumors, urban legends, pseudosciences or April Fools' Day events that are passed along in good faith by believers or as jokes.-Definition:The British...
devices, and the robbery of a post office during October–December 2005.
The IMC reported that, during September–November 2006, Óglaigh na hÉireann was responsible for two pipe bomb
Pipe bomb
A pipe bomb is an improvised explosive device, a tightly sealed section of pipe filled with an explosive material. The containment provided by the pipe means that simple low explosives can be used to produce a relatively large explosion, and the fragmentation of the pipe itself creates potentially...
attacks on the Police Service of Northern Ireland
Police Service of Northern Ireland
The Police Service of Northern Ireland is the police force that serves Northern Ireland. It is the successor to the Royal Ulster Constabulary which, in turn, was the successor to the Royal Irish Constabulary in Northern Ireland....
(PSNI), numerous bomb hoaxes and a tiger kidnapping
Tiger kidnapping
A tiger kidnapping or tiger robbery is a crime in which an abduction forms part of a robbery, murder, or any other crime. A person of importance to the victim is held hostage as collateral until the victim has met the criminal's demands.-Etymology:...
. The IMC reported that Óglaigh na hÉireann was responsible for leaving three pipe bomb
Pipe bomb
A pipe bomb is an improvised explosive device, a tightly sealed section of pipe filled with an explosive material. The containment provided by the pipe means that simple low explosives can be used to produce a relatively large explosion, and the fragmentation of the pipe itself creates potentially...
s outside the homes of PSNI officers and members of District Policing Partnerships in Strabane
Strabane
Strabane , historically spelt Straban,is a town in west County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It contains the headquarters of Strabane District Council....
, County Tyrone
County Tyrone
Historically Tyrone stretched as far north as Lough Foyle, and comprised part of modern day County Londonderry east of the River Foyle. The majority of County Londonderry was carved out of Tyrone between 1610-1620 when that land went to the Guilds of London to set up profit making schemes based on...
in April 2007, a pipe bomb attack on Strabane PSNI station in July 2007 and a failed pipe bomb attack on Strabane PSNI station in December 2007.
The IMC blamed Óglaigh na hÉireann for killing one of its own members, Andrew Burns, in County Donegal
County Donegal
County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
on 12 February. It is thought that Burns was shot dead after an internal feud within the organisation. In the same report the IMC reported Óglaigh na hÉireann had attacked PSNI officers and members of District Policing Partnerships.
On 14 May 2008 Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, informally the Northern Ireland Secretary, is the principal secretary of state in the government of the United Kingdom with responsibilities for Northern Ireland. The Secretary of State is a Minister of the Crown who is accountable to the Parliament of...
, Shaun Woodward
Shaun Woodward
Shaun Anthony Woodward is a British Labour Party politician who has been the Member of Parliament for St Helens South since 2001. He served in the Cabinet from 28 June 2007 to 11 May 2010 as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland...
, announced that he would seek in parliament
Parliament of the United Kingdom
The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom, British Crown dependencies and British overseas territories, located in London...
for Óglaigh na hÉireann to be specified under the terms of the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act, 1998.
On 3 January 2009, Óglaigh na hÉireann were believed to have been responsible for an attempted robbery in west Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, during which a family was held at gunpoint. Later the same month a 300 lb car bomb was abandoned in Castlewellan village, causing a five day security alert.
See also
- Timeline of Continuity Irish Republican Army actions
- Timeline of Real Irish Republican Army actions