No reprieve for `Real IRA', says Government

The Government spokesman has emphatically denied weekend reports that the Government has given the so-called "Real IRA" a fortnight's reprieve before applying the full rigours of the new emergency legislation against it.

Some reports suggested that the republican splinter-group had been given two weeks to call a ceasefire before the Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act, rushed through the Dail and Senate and signed into law on Thursday night, would be used against its members.

The Government spokesman also said that there was "no Government contact" with the "Real IRA". He denied that the Taoiseach's Northern adviser, Dr Martin Mansergh, had been meeting the "Real IRA" trying to broker a secret deal with it.

It is also understood that Ms Bernadette Sands, the leading figure in the 32-County Sovereignty Group, is under Garda surveillance, rather than receiving Garda protection.

Government sources have confirmed that people can be charged with the five new offences contained in the Act - which include directing an unlawful organisation, withholding certain information and training persons in the making or use of firearms - only based on evidence gathered since last week.

The "Real IRA" was yesterday urged to disband immediately by leading Sinn Fein ardchomhairle member Mr Martin Ferris, writes Barry Roche in Cork. Mr Ferris promised that the republican movement would do everything in its power to prevent further atrocities like the Omagh bombing.

"It is quite clear their (the "Real IRA") actions are determined to attack the Good Friday Agreement, the peace process and in particular to attack Sinn Fein," Mr Ferris said, prior to addressing the annual Liam Lynch commemoration in Fermoy.

"We believe that they are not serving the cause of republicanism and are doing a terrible disservice to the republican struggle. We believe they should disband and disband now," he added.

"For our part, we in Sinn Fein are more determined than ever to ensure that a lasting and democratic peace settlement is achieved and firmly established," he said.

Mr Ferris said that he believed the republican consensus and the weight of public opinion generally would ensure that the "Real IRA's" "ill-conceived campaign" would be short-lived.

He denied newspaper reports that he had visited members of the "Real IRA" in Limerick during the week as part of a campaign of intimidation against the dissidents. "I can categorically state I visited no one and I know nothing about it," he said.