ned hamilton dead, Christopher 'Git' Warren dead, shootings, gangland shootings, dublin killing, kildare death

This weeks (up to 31/12/2012) shootings Who Died?

Drug Lord killed in house party horror

Dealer dead after he was accidentally shot by gun

Killed yesterday after apparently being accidentally shot with a shotgun at a house party in Co. Kildare was Ned Hamilton (33), was rushed to Naas General Hospital with serious gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead shortly after 6am yesterday morning.

Gardai are investigating the nature of the shooting, which is believed to have taken place during a boozy party in his home at Kilmeague, near Naas.

Treated

It is understood that a legallyheld shotgun was being passed around at the party before it went off, killing Hamilton and injuring another man. Last night, the second man, a 50-year-old who is a close friend of Hamilton's, was being treated for gunshot wounds to the hand. Hamilton, who had been in a longterm relationship, was well-known to gardai and had convictions for burglary, assault and drugs. He had links to senior members of a drugs gang lead by Kildare basedgodfather Troy Jordan.

A source has revealed that Hamilton was suspected of involvement in the double murder of Andy Barry and Zilvinas Varnauskas in March. Mobster Barry, a step-nephew of Troy Jordan, was executed in his house in Kilcock, Co. Kildare along with Varnauskas, by a masked gunman. Hamilton, who did some work for a roadmarking company, was never charged in connection with the incident.

A source said: "He was heavily involved in the drugs trade and collected cash for a number of drug dealers, including Barry. However, after Barry was killed Hamilton was named as a potential suspect."

Hamilton, originally from Carragh in Co. Kildare, had been involved in the drugs trade for more than a decade and was a former associate of trafficker Liam Judge.

A source has claimed Hamilton was once beaten to "within an inch" of his life by Judge - who acted as bagman for John Gilligan's drug gang - over a missing drug shipment. The bungalow where he was shot is just a short drive away along a quiet country back road from the village of Kilmeague. It is part of a complex of former farmhouses that are now inhabited by members of his extended family.

Terror

Neighbours refused to speak about those caught up in the early morning shooting and at one stage a young man threatened a press photographer. However, villagers in Kilmeague spoke carefully about the deceased man, who was described as a "local terror".

"He was caught up in a feud with the Judges and gravestones were even smashed in a local cemetery. It was nasty stuff. He was a header, you crossed the road to avoid him," one local said.

GUN VICTIM Christopher 'Git' Warren poses with a photo of his murdered gangster brother Paul on Christmas Day - just three days before he was shot dead. This exclusive image shows Warren paying tribute to his slain brother while on temporary release from prison for Christmas last week.

In 2004, Paul Warren (23), was murdered by the Rattigan gang in a sickening pub shooting as part of the Crumlin-Drimnagh feud. It is believed he was executed by hitman Gary Bryan in revenge for the murder of mobster Brian Rattigan's younger brother, Joey.

Shockingly, three days after paying tribute to his dead brother, 'Git' Warren (35), would also be gunned down on the streets of Dublin. The chronic crack cocaine addict - who was allowed out of prison for the festive season - was shot twice in the upper body just after 6pm on Friday on Constitution Hill on the city's northside.

Target

Gardai believe Warren was one of the country's most prolific burglars and had amassed more than 60 separate convictions for house robberies. He was a major target for Operation Fiacla, the nationwide Garda campaign in the crackdown on burglaries. However, he was not regarded as either a member of, or a target for, any of the capital's feuding drugs gangs.

Detectives initially considered if Warren had been the victim of an accidental discharge from a firearm. However, they are now convinced he was deliberately killed - possibility over a drugs debt - and are reviewing CCTV. It is believed that Warren may have been lured to the northside of the city before being shot twice in the upper body. Warren's brutal death is not being linked to the Crumlin-Drimnagh feud or the increase in gangland tensions as a result of the recent return of 'Fat' Freddie Thompson to the country.

Last night, a man in his late 20s remained in custody in Kevin Street Garda station in connection with the murder. A source claimed the criminal - who is from the Coolock area of north Dublin and is well known to gardai - was a pal of Warren's and helped drop him to St James's Hospital.


"He is not suspected of pulling the trigger but is being questioned in relation to suspected withholding of information about who shot Warren."

It is believed that Warren spent the majority of Friday boozing and gambling with pals in the south inner-city.

Just after five o'clock, he said he was going to a pub near Broadstone on the city's northside. However, one hour later Warren sustained a gunshot wound to the chest area.

Despite his injuries, Warren personally raised the alarm and phoned his pal to tell him that he had been shot.

He was then picked up by his friend who drove him to St James's Hospital before throwing him out of the car. Medics rushed Mr Warren inside for emergency treatment but he died shortly before 7pm. The car used to take him to hospital, a blue C180 Mercedes, was later found on nearby Cork Street. It was not burned out and will be forensically examined.

Yesterday, senior detectives were reviewing a number of theories, including that Warren was involved in a dispute over a drugs debt. However, they are also checking to see if he was targeted because of a personal matter. Last night they sealed off an area near the Broadstone Bus Station in connection with their investigation. Meanwhile,Warren's parents were being comforted in their home in St Teresa's Gardens in the city by family and friends.

The brutal gun death comes nearly nine years after the murder of Paul Warren shocked the nation. Warren (23), was shot dead in the toilets of a pub in Newmarket Square in the Liberties area of Dublin on February 25, 2004. Two masked gunmen entered the pub and pursued the victim into the toilets where they shot him. The drug dealer, who was regarded as a minor member of the Thompson gang, had previously been arrested in connection with the murder of Joey Rattigan (18), in July 2002.


Gary Bryan was charged with Paul Warren's murder, but was acquitted after a key witness withdrew her evidence. Bryan was himself murdered in 2006. 'Git' Warren was a chronic heroin and crack cocaine addict who had spent a large part of his adult life behind bars and had more than 150 convictions.

In 2011, he was sentenced to six years in prison with three suspended after pleading guilty to a string of house burglaries. Dublin Circuit Court heard how he had weighed just seven stone when he was arrested in 2009 as a result of his drug addiction. A court heard how Warren told gardai he was using crack cocaine and needed money to pay off his debts. Warren's lawyer claimed he had suffered a drug overdose in 2002 and absconded to the UK for five years to get away from drugs.

Relapse

He subsequently returned to Ireland "to face the music" but relapsed into drug use in 2008 while in Mountjoy Prison. Warren's sister said her family was devastated at his death.

"He was a wonderful brother," she said. "I can't believe I have to buy funeral clothes for another brother.
"He was dumped off like a piece of meat."

Two gun deaths over the weekend mean there were a total of 23 deaths in 2012 as a result of firearms. Figures compiled up to December 20 showed there were 51 murders committed this year, compared with 38 for the corresponding period in 2011. Fourteen of the killings were officially categorised as "organised crime", an increase of 10 on last year's total.

martin mcguinness MP, sinn fein, stormont, president of ireland, serial killer, deputy first minister, northern ireland assembly

martin mcguinness MP, sinn fein, stormont, president of ireland, serial killer, deputy first minister, northern ireland assembly

MI6 Agent Martin McGuinness has resigned his position as British MP due to complaints about double-jobing, McGuinness went fly fishing with MI6 Agent Micheal Oakley (The Mountain Climber) while the SAS were executing IRA activists in East Tyrone in the 1980s. McGuinness is now to focus on proping up the British presence in Ireland through Stormont and will run for President of Ireland in 6 years time, health permitting.

Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has formally resigned as Sinn Féin MP for Mid-Ulster.

Mr McGuinness said the move was “in line with [his] party’s commitment to end double jobbing”, but that he had “no intention of leaving Mid-Ulster”.

“I will always be grateful to the people of this area for trusting me to represent them and their interests,” he said.

“I will of course continue to represent the Mid-Ulster Constituency in the Assembly. I am honoured to do so both as an MLA and as deputy First Minister in equal partnership with Peter Robinson.”

“I can assure them and everyone else that my party, our fivemMinisters, our MPs, our 29 MLAs, our MEP and our huge number of councillors will continue the journey we have embarked upon.

“As the political landscape in the north continues to change, as it surely will, we remain committed to the goals of Irish republicanism and to serving the interests of all sections of society.

“I firmly believe that we can make further progress. This will require positive leadership from all parties. Sinn Féin remains firmly committed to playing a constructive role in the period ahead.”

belfast bomb, dissident republicans, real ira, the ira, PSNI, booby trap bomb, terrorism

Dissident republicans have been blamed for planting the device, which was detected at around 2pm on Sunday outside the policeman's home in the Upper Newtownards Road area. Here on Dissident Republicans we warned yesterday that Dissidents would be striking hard and early in the New Year...

belfast bomb, dissident republicans, real ira, the ira, PSNI, booby trap bomb, terrorism

Officers believe the bomb was placed at some time in the past 48 hours and said it was "clearly intended to kill".

ACC George Hamilton said: "It is very fortunate that this device was detected before it exploded and that no one was killed or seriously injured.

"It was clearly intended to kill the police officer. His family and neighbours in the vicinity were also put at risk of serious harm.

Our belief is that this attempted murder was carried by those opposed to peace from within Dissident Republicanism.

ACC George Hamilton

"They don't care who they attack, they don't care who they kill. They are simply anti-peace and determined to carry on bringing pain and devastation to families and communities by maiming and killing."

Several homes have been evacuated in the Upper Newtownards Road area as army bomb squad officers deal with the suspect device on Sunday afternoon.

The Upper Newtownards Road remains closed to traffic between the Knock Road junction and Cabin Hill Park.

Local UUP MLA Michael Copeland called the attack a "thoughtless act of premeditated violence."
He told UTV: "It seems that an under car booby trap or a device of some sort has been found beneath a car rumoured to belong to a police officer.

"A device like that doesn't know who's in the vehicle. It could be his wife, children or grandchildren - it's a thoughtless act of premeditated violence."

SDLP Policing Board member Conall McDevitt condemned what he described as a "cynical and deplorable" attempt to target an officer.

He said: "Those seeking to target police officers are undermining not only the stated will of the people of Ireland who have long since rejected violence, but also the desire for a new beginning for policing in the North, which is shared by the majority of citizens."

"PSNI officer escapes terror bid to murder him at Belfast home with under car bomb. Total disregard for life of officer and family".Robin Newton MLA said the only intention of those who placed the device was murder.

"Those who placed this potential bomb have nothing to offer the community except heartache and sorrow," said the DUP man.

"The thugs who carry out this type of an action are rejected by the vast majority of the community as being wicked and evil and wicked who care nothing for innocent life.

"I pay tribute to the PSNI officers and the bomb squad officers who risked their lives to make the area safe not only for the intended victim but all who live in close proximity."

East Belfast Alliance MLA Chris Lyttle said: "My immediate thoughts and prayers are with the officer and family directly affected by this cowardly and futile act and the people working to restore safety to all residents in the area.

"Those behind this incident have absolutely nothing to offer the local community and are only intent on taking Northern Ireland back to a time of deep division through violent attacks."

Shadow Secretary of State for NI, Vernon Coaker MP, said: "An attack on the police is an attack on the entire community. The bravery of the PSNI is in stark contrast to the actions of those who planted a bomb under this family's car just days after Christmas."

Police have appealed for anyone with information to get in touch.

ACC George Hamilton continued: "Anyone who was in the area of the Upper Newtownards Road and witnessed any unusual activity in or around this area between the junction of Cabinhill Park and the Knock Road between Friday afternoon and lunch time today is asked to contact detectives on 0845 600 8000."

Breaking news, kildare shooting, 35 year old man shot dead dublin, gangland shooting, man dead, shot dead 28/12/2012

Two shootings are being reported here, there is no evidence that they are 'dissident' related, just reporting the latest shootings, one dead in Dublin and one dead in Kildare, the Kildare shooting may have been accidental as a legally held weapon was found at the scene.

Breaking news, 35 year old man shot dead dublin, gangland shooting, man dead, shot dead 28/12/2012

A 35-year-old man has been shot dead in Dublin.

The man was dropped off at St James's Hospital with gunshot wounds.

He was pronounced dead a short time later.

Detectives have begun a murder investigation and have appealed for anyone with information to contact them at Kilmainham Garda Station on 01 666 9700.

The car that was used to drop the man at hospital was found a short distance away on Cork St., Dublin 8 and the area has been preserved for a technical examination.

The location where the shooting took place is not known at this time.

Gardaí have arrested a man in connection with a shooting in Dublin yesterday evening.

A man in his late 20s is being detained at Kevin Street Garda station under section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007.

An investigation was launched after a man with gunshot wounds was left at St James Hospital in the south inner city at around 7pm suffering from gunshot wounds. He later died from his injuries.

The victim was Christopher Warren (35) from St Teresa’s Gardens in Dolphin’s Barn in Dublin’s south inner city.

He underwent emergency medical treatment but was pronounced dead a short time later.

The people who left him at the hospital did not wait with him, though the vehicle he was transported to St James’s in was later located on Cork St in Dublin 8.

Kildare Shooting

A man has died after he was shot at a house in Co Kildare early this morning 29/12/2012.

Gardaí are investigating the incident, which took place at a house in Kilmeage, Naas.

A 33-year-old man was taken to Naas General Hospital suffering serious gunshot injuries, but was pronounced dead shortly after 6am.

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to the incident.

Breaking news, dissident republicans, real ira, lurgan bomb

Breaking news, dissident republicans, real ira, lurgan bomb

As ‘dissident republicans’ prepare to open their 2013 account with a ‘spectacular’ reports are coming in of an incident  in Lurgan. It is expected that ‘dissidents’ will strike hard and early in 2013, however, such an attack may be stifled due to the heavy infiltration of the ‘dissident’ groups by the security services.

Lurgan bomb

The suspect object at the centre of a security alert in Lurgan, Co Armagh on Wednesday has been declared a viable pipe bomb device by army bomb experts.

A number of homes were evacuated in the Toberhewny Hall area of the town in the afternoon while the device was made safe.

The alert is now over and residents have been allowed to return to their properties.

The bomb has been taken away for further forensic examination.

The area has re-opened to traffic.

There are no further details.

Glen Guerin, coolock, real ira Dublin, dissident republicans, drug dealers, alan ryan, eamon kelly, sean connolly

Glen Guerin, coolock, real ira Dublin, dissident republicans, drug dealers, alan ryan, eamon kelly, sean connolly

A CONVICTED criminal was lucky to escape with his life after he was shot at five times in Coolock early this week. Glen 'Ribs' Guerin was hit in the hand after a gunman opened fire in Clonshaugh Woods, Coolock, near the Bewleys Hotel just after midnight.

Targeted

Dad-of-two Guerin (23), from Buttercup Park, Darndale, was rushed to Beaumont Hospital and is expected to make a full recovery. Gardai are investigating if he was targeted as a result of his loose links to a traveller gang involved in producing pipe bombs for the RIRA.

In October, detectives recovered firearms, ammunition, live pipe bombs and pipe bomb components following a raid on a halting site in Darndale. The raid was carried out after gardai received intelligence that a traveller criminal was responsible for producing pipe bombs, which were being sold to the RIRA. Guerin was aware there was a threat on his life in recent weeks because of his links to the traveller gang.

A source said: "There has been a threat against him for some time and he knew people were after him."

The traveller gang, who Guerin has loose links with, are believed to have been behind pipe-bomb attacks on criminal figures in the Coolock area, who had loose connections to other criminals feuding with the RIRA. The shooting comes as criminal gangs step up their campaign against the remnants of the RIRA mob, lead by slain terror boss Alan Ryan.

Cocky

This week, a number of houses linked to members of Ryan's gang members were smashed up by criminal figures in a bid reassert control of Dublin's northside.

"There is a lot of tension in the area in the last couple of weeks, and the criminals are getting a bit more-cocky recently."

Despite his tender years, Guerin has come before the courts on a Criminal shot at five times by gunman number of occasions. In 2011, Guerin - described as a car dealer in court - was jailed for three months for driving offences. He was also banned from driving for 15 years after a judge said his record for motoring offences was "outrageous", after being told he had amassed 31 convictions for uninsured driving.

Dublin District Court heard he had been buying, repairing and selling on cars, and was caught "test driving" them. He had previously been jailed for 13 months for uninsured driving.

The court heard Guerin has 180 previous convictions but is now trying to "turn his life around".

MOSBTER Eamon 'the Don' Dunne's hitman of choice has been jailed for five years for stabbing two men following a row over loud music.

Killer Gary Howard is currently serving two life sentences for the savage murder of two innocent men, Patrick Mooney (58) and Brendan Molyneux (46), on January 10, 2010.

Gardai believe scumbag Howard executed the two men on the orders of a senior member of Eamon Dunne's gang. He is also suspected of being the trigger man in the murder of Michael Murray (41), in March 2009.

Drug dealer Murray was involved in a feud with Dunne's gang and was shot because gang members believed he was preparing to target them. But last week, Howard was back before the courts for stabbing two men outside a party in Primrose Grove, Darndale, on Dublin's northside on July 11, 2009.

Explosives

His pal, Glen Douche (25), was also sentenced to 18 months for his role in the horrific attack. Douche - whose brother Gary was kicked to death in a cell in Mountjoy Prison - is currently serving a nine-year sentence for transporting explosives for a traveller gang in north Dublin.

Last week, the court heard how one of the men, Conor Lunders, required stitches to multiple stab wounds which he received to his scalp, right lower chest, to his back and to his wrist. Howard had launched the savage attack after Anthony Byrne got in a row with Douche's girlfriend after she complained about the loud music at a party in his home.

Garda Brendan Fitzpatrick said that Douche and his girlfriend Elizabeth Chaney had called to Mr Byrne's home after Ms Chaney's mother, who lived nearby, complained about the noise. The court heard that Mr Byrne hit Ms Chaney with a brush, which angered Douche and led him to returning to his girlfriend's mother's home to get the knives.

He then arrived back at the party driving his silver Volkswagen Bora and drove it in the direction of one of the partygoers. Mr Byrne grabbed this person out of the way and Douche then drove the car at him, clipping his leg, leaving him with an injury.

Gda Fitzpatrick said that gardai received complaints about the melee at the party and were told "people are killing each other".

When he arrived on the scene, he spotted Douche driving the Bora out of the cul-de-sac. Howard was a back-seat passenger and gardai discovered two knives in the glove compartment which were dripping with blood.

Found

Mr Lunders' DNA was later found on one of the knives, while Douche's DNA was found on both knives. Gda Fitzpatrick said that a third knife was found in Ms Chaney's home. This was also blood-stained and Mr Byrne's DNA was later found on it.

Howard, from Dunsoghly Grove, Finglas, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to both and to production of a knife. His 43 previous convictions included the murder and threats-to-kill offences and also assault, road traffic, arson and hi-jacking charges.

Judge Martin Nolan jailed Howard for five years concurrent to the term he is currently serving for murder, after being informed that the law prevents him from imposing a consecutive term to a life sentence.

Douche of Oakwood Green, Termonabbey, Drogheda, Co. Louth, pleaded guilty to assaulting the two men causing them harm and reckless endangerment.

THE TATTOOED criminal who has been charged with murdering godfather Eamon Kelly has been moved TO the RIRA controlled E3 landing after "discussions" with terror bosses.

Last week we revealed RIRA suspect Sean Connolly had been placed in an isolation cell on 'A' Landing in Portlaoise Prison because of fears he could be killed. It is believed that RIRA chiefs had become paranoid that Connolly had given gardai detailed information about the murder of drugs baron Kelly.

Following Connolly's arrest, six people were picked up by gardai and quizzed in connection with Kelly's murder. However, Connolly was moved back to E3 landing on Thursday night following discussions with senior caged dissidents.

Control

A source has revealed that the RIRA are "keeping everyone close" in a bid to keep better control of their membership. Just a few hours before Connolly was moved, convicted cocaine trafficker Eamon Kelly was buried in his local church in Killester, north Dublin. The packed service was attended by a number of veteran gangsters who knew Kelly during nearly five decades of involvement in criminality.

The mourners included Jimmy 'the Badger' Edgeworth, a notorious tiger kidnapper and Dessie 'the Border Fox' O'Hare. Edgeworth (73), who was an associate of murdered gangster Martin 'the General' Cahill, got to know Kelly when they were both living in Crumlin in the 1970s.

In 2010, Edgeworth received a suspended sentence after being caught in a sting operation selling crack cocaine and heroin. The pensioner claimed he only turned to drugs because he did not have enough money to get by after his old age pension was cut.

Ex-INLA chief Dessie O'Hare, who was one of Kelly's best friends, delivered a eulogy in the church to the murdered mobster. Bizarrely, O'Hare described Kelly as a "martyr" who opposed British colonialism. In 2006, psycho O'Hare (56), was released early under the Belfast Agreement from a 40- year sentence for kidnapping and chopping off dentist John O'Grady's fingers.

A notorious tiger kidnapper who was involved in a violent clash with Alan Ryan before his death was also in attendance. The North Dublin bank robber is currently facing charges in relation to a serious robbery in 2005.

Kelly's brother Matt (66), who paid €3.6million in unpaid taxes to CAB also mingled with mourners. Matt's heavily tattooed son, Matt jnr, could also be seen leaving a floral tribute at the hearse. Last year, the Sunday World revealed how Matt jnr was a leading member of the newly-formed Hell's Angels in Dublin.

The funeral service was also attended by Eamon's brother, carpet magnate Des. Des - who is a devout Christian - has no involvement or links to criminality and has run a successful furniture business for nearly 40 years. He was visibly upset and had to be comforted by his wife Yolanda.

Eamon Kelly had connections with some of Ireland's most notorious criminals and is suspected of acting as a 'fixer' for drug gangs. Kelly is believed to have advised upand- coming criminals on how to arrange drug deals with expat mobsters on the continent and acted as a mentor for Eamon 'the Don' Dunne.

However, a number of Kelly's previous gangland allies, including associates of 'the Don' stayed away. It is believed the drug barons feared appearing at the funeral could draw RIRA attention on to them. During the service, parish priest Monsignor Alex Stenson described the murder as "dreadful and evil".

Violent

He said: "His death, being brutally murdered, was an horrendous crime. It was evil and nothing justifies it."

Despite Kelly having serious convictions for both violence and drug crimes, Msgr Stenson told the congregation that much of what was reported in the newspapers was "untrue".

"We are all sinners," he said commenting that it was "easy to point the finger at others when we should be looking at ourselves".

Msgr Stenson previously hit the headlines when it emerged that he had failed to tell gardai about paedophile priest Tony Walsh's sick past. The Dublin priest had been investigating Walsh's paedophile tendencies for six years when gardai sought to interview him about a complaint in 1991 made by the parents of a young boy who Walsh had attempted to abuse.

The Murphy Report detailed how, when asked by a garda if Walsh had a record of paedophilia, Msgr Stenson replied: "I evaded that [giving details of Walsh's crimes], but told him to proceed with whatever steps he thought he should take."

breaking news, gary mcphilips, derry weapons charges, derry drug charges, dissident republicans, RAAD

Man remanded on Derry drugs and weapons charges

A 28-year-old man, Garry McPhilips, has been remanded in custody on arms and  20K drugs charges.

breaking news, gary mcphilips, derry weapons charges, derry drug charges, dissident republicans, RAAD

Gary McPhillips, from Hawkin Street, is charged with possessing a sub-machine gun, two pistols, hand grenades, bullets and the drugs ecstasy and mephedrone.

A detective told Londonderry Magistrates Court the drugs had a street value of about £20,000.

A defence lawyer applied for anonymity for Mr McPhillips, but District Judge Des Perry refused the application.

The lawyer said the defendant was admitting the drugs offences, but was denying the firearms and explosives charges. He said the weapons and explosives were found in the attic of the house to which there was communal access.

He was remanded in custody until 10 January.

derry news, guns, grenades, drugs, ammunition, PSNI, arrests, disident republicans, real ira, RAAD

derry news, guns, grenades, drugs, ammunition, PSNI, arrests, disident republicans, real ira, RAAD

Detectives from the PSNI's organised crime branch have released details of items uncovered during searches in Derry yesterday.

At a property in Hawkin Street, police seized three firearms and a quantity of ammunition, two grenades, an electric stun device and a CS gas canister as well as suspected controlled drugs with an estimated street value of £20,000 (€24,600).

At a property in Queen's Court, a four-figure sum of cash was seized. A 35-year-old man arrested at Queen's Court was released on bail pending further inquiries.

A 28-year-old man arrested at Hawkin Street remains in custody.

All the items seized are being forensically examined.

Vincent Banks from Smithfield Gate in central Dublin was charged with withholding information about the murder, and membership of an illegal organisation.

A 36-year-old man has been remanded in custody charged in connection with the murder of prison officer David Black.

Damien Joseph McLaughlin, 36, from Kilmascally Road, Dungannon, appeared at Lisburn Magistrates Court.

He is accused of obtaining a car in the Republic of Ireland which police believe is linked to Mr Black's murder.

A man was also remanded in custody by the Special Criminal Court in Dublin on charges including withholding information about the murder.

At the hearing in Lisburn a defence lawyer said there was insufficient evidence to connect Mr McLaughlin to the charge. However, this was dismissed by the district judge.

He was remanded in custody until 4 January.

Mr Black, 52, was shot on the M1 as he drove to work in November.

A police officer told the court that police in the Republic have CCTV footage which linked the accused to the car's movements from the Republic into Northern Ireland.

He admitted, however, that police in Northern Ireland have not yet obtained it from the Garda Síochana but will in due course.

A 44-year-old Dublin man appeared before the three judge non-jury Special Criminal Court in the city charged in connection with the murder of Mr Black.

Vincent Banks from Smithfield Gate in central Dublin was charged with withholding information about the murder, and membership of an illegal organisation.

Mr Banks did not speak during his 19 minute appearance, but the court heard that when charged he replied: "I don't believe so."

He was remanded in custody until Friday morning, but Irish police indicated they would have no objection in principle to bail at a later date.

A 31-year-old woman who was arrested with him on Tuesday night was released without charge.
Mr Black was the first prison officer to be murdered in Northern Ireland in 20 years.

The father-of-two had been driving to his work at Maghaberry Prison, Northern Ireland's high security jail, when he was attacked by members of a new dissident republican group calling itself the IRA.

breaking news, david black murder charge, damien mclaughlin, tyrone ira, prison officer murder charges,

breaking news, david black murder charge, damien mclaughlin, tyrone ira, prison officer murder charges,

A man has appeared in Lisburn Magistrates' Court accused of obtaining a car which was later used in the killing of prison officer David Black in Northern Ireland.

Damien Joseph McLaughlin (36), was linked to a Toyota Camry which was moved from the Republic to Northern Ireland before it was used in the murder last month of Mr Black (52). The suspect was detained in Co Tyrone yesterday.

Father-of-two Mr Black, from Cookstown, Co Tyrone, was shot on a motorway in Co Armagh after a Toyota pulled alongside him at high speed while he drove to work at the high-security Maghaberry Prison.

The defendant was accused of obtaining the car at Carrigallen, Co Leitrim, and bringing it to Northern Ireland.

A PSNI officer told the court: “We believe we will be able to prove that the car was moved from there shortly after Mr McLaughlin was in Carrigallen and it was taken straight to Northern Ireland towards the Craigavon area.”

Mr Black was shot dead close to Craigavon on the M1 motorway on November 1st. Dissident republicans claimed responsibility.

The officer said evidence to support a terrorism charge was with gardaí in the Republic and would be forwarded to Northern Ireland as soon as possible.

The accused, dressed in a white top and jeans and flanked by prison officers, stood throughout the brief hearing, as half a dozen police officers kept watch in the crowded courtroom.

Mr Black’s young son Kyle, who spoke movingly at his father’s funeral last month, looked on, while a crowd of supporters in the public gallery applauded the accused as he was led away.

Mr McLaughlin’s lawyer Peter Corrigan said the evidence should have been before the court before the suspect was charged.

“There is no evidence in existence against the defendant linking him to the car, no relevant and visible evidence,” he said. “There is an expectation at some future date that there might be evidence.”

District Judge Rosemary Watters said she was prepared to accept the Garda will bring the evidence forward in due course and it will be before a court in Northern Ireland.

“I have to rely on what I am told and rely on a belief that that evidence when it is before a court will convict - or at least there is a prima facie case against the defendant.”

She remanded him in custody to reappear via video-link at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on January 4th.

Meanwhile, a 44-year-old man detained today as part of the investigation into the murder was due to appear before the Special Criminal Court in Dublin this afternoon.

Gardaí attached to the Special Detective Unit had arrested the man and a woman aged 31 in Dublin this morning as part of the inquiry into the murder, which took place in Lurgan, Co Armagh, on November 1st.

They were detained at Ballymun Garda station under provisions of section 30 of the Offences of the State Act.

Mr Black, a father of two, worked at the high-security Maghaberry jail in Co Antrim where dissident republicans had been on a no-wash protest over strip searches.

He was the first prison officer murdered in Northern Ireland for 20 years.

A dissident paramilitary group calling itself the "IRA" claimed responsibility for Mr Black’s murder.

dissident republicans, the ira, real ira, special criminal court dublin, man charged, david black murder, prison officer murder

dissident republicans, the ira, real ira, special criminal court dublin, man charged, david black murder, prison officer murder

A 44-year-old man detained today as part of the investigation into the murder of Northern Ireland prison officer David Black last month is due to appear before the Special Criminal Court this afternoon at 1pm.

Gardaí attached to the Special Detective Unit had arrested the man and a woman aged 31 in Dublin this morning as part of the inquiry into the murder, which took place in Lurgan, Co Armagh, on November 1st.

They were detained at Ballymun Garda station under provisions of section 30 of the Offences of the State Act.

Meanwhile, a 36-year-old man was to appear in court in Lisburn today charged in connection with the murder.

Mr Black (52) had been shot dead by dissident republicans as he drove to work on a motorway in Co Armagh.

The suspect, who was detained in Co Tyrone yesterday, has been charged with terrorism offences and is will appear at Lisburn Magistrates' Court this morning.

Mr Black, a father of two, worked at the high-security Maghaberry jail in Co Antrim where dissident republicans had been on a no-wash protest over strip searches.

He was the first prison officer murdered in Northern Ireland for 20 years.

A dissident paramilitary group calling itself the "IRA" claimed responsibility for Mr Black’s murder.

breaking news, prison officer murder charges, tyrone charges, real ira, dissident republicans, PSNI, david black murder

breaking news, prison officer murder charges, tyrone charges, real ira, dissident republicans, PSNI, david black murder

A 36-year-old man will appear in court n Lisburn today charged in connection with the murder of a prison officer in Northern Ireland.

David Black (52) was shot dead by dissident republicans as he drove to work on a motorway in Co Armagh on November 1st.

The suspect, who was detained in Co Tyrone yesterday, has been charged with terrorism offences and is will appear at Lisburn Magistrates' Court this morning.

Mr Black, a father of two, worked at the high-security Maghaberry jail in Co Antrim where dissident republicans had been on a no-wash protest over strip searches.

He was the first prison officer murdered in Northern Ireland for 20 years.

Two other people, a man aged 44 and a woman aged 31, were also detained by gardaí in Dublin yesterday.

The pair were being held under section 30 of the Offences of the State Act 1939 at Ballymun Garda station.
A dissident paramilitary group calling itself the "IRA" claimed responsibility for Mr Black’s murder.

breaking news, facebook murder, limerick murder, continuity ira limerick, drug dealers, limerick criminals

breaking news, facebook murder, limerick murder, continuity ira limerick, drug dealers, limerick criminals

Facebook stalkers intended to murder Young Irishman

A plot to murder a young Limerick man who joined the British army has been uncovered. A member of the Continuity IRA had been detailed to target the soldier, who is in his 20s and is from Limerick, and a firearm had been sourced for the task.

The terrorist group intended to kill the soldier as he attended a function in the city this week shortly before he was due to return to his army regiment.

It is believed a member of the group gathered information on the soldier after befriending him on social networking website Facebook.

The man has remained in the UK after being warned by Gardaí of the threat against him.

Police were also aware of a previous threat against him in August, but on that occasion the soldier did not return home.

A local continuity faction in Limerick along with other dissident terrorists based in Dublin are believed to be behind the terror plot.

It is alleged the murder was intended to boost the credibility of the head of the group in Limerick, after his involvement in drug trafficking and criminality damaged his reputation in the eyes of other senior dissident figures.

breaking news, real ira arrests, tyrone arrests, dublin arrests, david black murder, prison officer murder, psni, an garda siochana

breaking news, real ira arrests, tyrone arrests, dublin arrests, david black murder, prison officer murder, psni, an garda siochana

Three people have been arrested in the North and in Dublin in connection with the murder of prison officer David Black last month.

Mr Black (52), was shot as he drove to work on a motorway in Co Armagh on November 1st. Dissident republicans claimed responsibility.

The father-of-two worked at the high security Maghaberry jail in Co Antrim.

A PSNI spokesman said a man aged 36 was arrested today in Co Tyrone and taken to Antrim police station for questioning.

Separately, gardaí attached to the Special Detective Unit at Harcourt Square in Dublin arrested a 44-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman in Dublin this morning as part of the same murder inquiry.

They are detained under the provisions of section 30 of Offences of the State Act 1939 at Ballymun Garda station.

Mr Black was the first prison officer murdered in Northern Ireland for 20 years.

special criminal court, real ira, dissident republicans, joe clarke, derek palmer

special criminal court, real ira, dissident republicans, joe clarke, derek palmer

THE Special Criminal Court trial of two Dublin men accused of IRA membership has been adjourned until tomorrow.

Joe Clarke (40), of Geraldstown Woods, Santry, has pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful organisation within the State styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on July 14th, 2011.

His co-accused Derek Palmer (56), of Corduff Green, Blanchardstown, has also pleaded not guilty to the same offence on the same date.

The accused men were arrested after gardai stopped and searched the gold Opel Vectra car they were travelling in at Castleland Court, Balbriggan, at approximately 10:00pm on the night in question.

The trial continues on Wednesday in front of presiding judge Mr Justice Paul Butler.

Real ira charges, Kevin Barry Murphy, Patrick Carty, Brian Sheridan, Brian Cavlan, Dominic Dynes

Real ira charges, Kevin Barry Murphy, Patrick Carty, Brian Sheridan, Brian Cavlan, Dominic Dynes

A MAN who walked free from court yesterday after bomb-making charges against him were dropped has denied ever being a leading member of the Real IRA.

Kevin Barry Murphy (41) was released after spending a year in custody.

He had been facing charges of preparing acts of terrorism and possessing explosives with intent to endanger life.

The charges were withdrawn at Armagh Magistrates Court.

Co-accused Patrick Carty (31), of Springdale in Dungannon, was also released after a Public Prosecution Service lawyer said a charge of preparing acts of terrorism against him was also being dropped.

Mr Carty was arrested in February after police claimed his fingerprints had been found on plastic used to cover a horizontal mortar device discovered in a field at Killybracken Road in Dungannon in April last year.

Charges against three other men linked to the alleged discovery of a bomb factory near Keady in Co Armagh in April last year were also dropped.

The three facing those charges were Brian Sheridan (35), of Avonmore in Blackwatertown; Brian Cavlan (36), of Circular Road in Dungannon; and Dominic Dynes (40), of Castleblayney in Co Monaghan.

The three were returned to jail to face additional charges linked to the discovery of firearms in a car in which they were travelling in April last year.

Before the hearing a police officer filmed people entering and leaving the court complex.

There was a heavy police presence inside as many of the men's relatives and friends packed into the public gallery.

During a bail hearing in September last year Mr Murphy, of Altmore Park in Coalisland, was described by police as a member of the Real IRA's army council and the group's leader in east Tyrone.

He was arrested earlier after police said his fingerprints had been found on a coffee grinder they claimed was linked to the bomb factory.

After walking free from court he denied ever being a member of the Real IRA, an organisation that no longer exists.

He said he had been "interned by remand".

"In the past I have been acquitted of being a member of that organisation," he said.

"I am not a member of any organisation and have never been a member of any organisation.

"That should be taken with a pinch of salt.

"The important point is that for the last 14 months we have asked for the fingerprint evidence and they have failed to produce it.

"It is tantamount to internment by remand.

"Someone said we were guilty of something without producing the evidence.

"That is the strategy being used against republicans.

"In the eighties we had the super-grass trials, in the nineties we had shoot-to-kill and today they are using internment by remand."

He also called for the role of the PSNI and the forensics used in his arrest and detention to be examined.

"An independent body needs to look at how those who step outside the box, those who are not pro-Good Friday Agreement republicans, end up in Maghaberry," he said.

"What happened to us is also an indictment of constitutional nationalism which has remained silent on the issue.

"It's an indictment of the new political dispensation on policing and justice."

A spokesman for the Public Prosecution Service said it "can confirm that the PPS has decided not to prosecute the accused as it was considered that the available evidence was insufficient to provide a reasonable prospect of a conviction”.

“The charges were therefore withdrawn,” the spokesman said.

east tyrone real ira, kevin barry murphy, dissident republicans

A man named in court as the East Tyrone Real IRA leader has had terrorism charges against him dropped.

The charges against Kevin Barry Murphy (above) (41), which arose from the discovery of a bomb-making factory in south Armagh last year, were yesterday withdrawn by the Public Prosecution Service.

It had been alleged that the Coalisland man’s fingerprints had been found on a coffee grinder linked to the factory near Keady.

Charges against four co-accused were also withdrawn at Armagh court.

Breaking news, real ira, the ira, dissident republicans, law library, Saoirse Breathnach

Breaking news, real ira, the ira, dissident republicans, law library, Saoirse Breathnach

A SUSPECTED IRA recruiter who is a prominent dissident republican is working in the capital's law library and has potential access to extremely sensitive prosecution material. This revelation comes following the discovery of another one of the Real IRA’s most senior members working in an educational establishment where 'White Lillies' may have been recruited for the terrorist group.

As part of her job, it is understood that the woman has access to information on criminal cases and sensitive files including cases linked to dissident republicans.

A source explained: "This is very much a cause for concern. This woman has been involved with a dissident republican organisation for a number of years.

"She is an advocate of the IRA, a strong supporter who encourages membership of what is an illegal organisation. Obviously she is not a suitable candidate for working in the law library."

The woman is not working as a solicitor but has been present when pre-case conferences and other sensitive meetings have taken place in the library.

The organisation that the woman is involved with was formed in 2007 and has been linked to a number of atrocities including the shooting of two British soldiers in 2009.

Robbery

Among its members are Saoirse Breathnach (38) from Ballybrack, south Dublin, a well-known dissident who was jailed for seven years in December 1998 along with four men for their part in an attempted bank holiday robbery during which a sixth raider was shot dead.

Breathnach was armed with an assault rifle during the raid in which her associate Ronan McLoughlin (28), from Ballymun, died when gardai opened fire.

Jailing the men, Mr Justice Frederick Morris said the court had no doubt that this was "a highly organised and premeditated crime and bore all the hallmarks of a paramilitary undertaking".

Sources say that the dissident group which the woman who works in the law library is linked to has "some support" in Dublin but is "strong" in Dundalk, Co Louth, as well as Derry and Belfast.

"Who she is involved with openly support Oglaigh na hEireann and advocate armed struggle. It would be a disaster if this woman has access to garda information on upcoming dissident cases," the source explained.

"While it would be wrong to call her an active terrorist, this lady is a supporter and facilitator of an illegal organisation," the source added.

The group which she supports also has links to the new republican paramilitary group calling itself the IRA, which is claiming responsibility for the murder of prison officer David Black earlier this month.

In a statement released yesterday, the group say the killing was in direct response to the conditions in Maghaberry Prison, where Mr Black worked.

Father-of-two Mr Black (52) was shot dead on the M1 in Co Armagh on November 1 as he drove to work.

The new organisation is a coalition of dissident groups formed earlier this year.

Philip O'Donnell, from Baldrick Court in the city, lured a taxi driver to the Brandywell area where he was hijacked by two gunmen and ordered to take a 200lb bomb

A 44-year-old man who admitted playing an "active role" in a dissident bomb attack at a PSNI station in Derry has been jailed for 13 years.

 

Philip O'Donnell, from Baldrick Court in the city, lured a taxi driver to the Brandywell area where he was hijacked by two gunmen and ordered to take a 200lb bomb to the police station in August 2010.

The court previously heard that the 44-year-old had been acting on behalf of Óglaigh na hÉireann.
O'Donnell was further said to have telephoned a 45-minute warning, but only half of that warning had expired when the bomb went off.

On Monday, Belfast Crown Court judge Mr Justice Burgess said that if O'Donnell had been a primary party in the attack on Strand Road PSNI station, he would have faced more than 20 years in jail.

"Given the nature of these offences and the terror and threat to life in this attack, the dissident group showed itself only too willing to resort to violence in pursuit of its aims and, in doing so, resorted to this highly dangerous act of causing an explosion of this magnitude," the judge said.

O'Donnell, a married father-of-four, had pleaded guilty to a total of six offences - causing an explosion on August 3 2010, hijacking the taxi the bomb was transported in, falsely imprisoning the taxi driver, membership of Óglaigh na hÉireann and two further counts of attempted hijacking.

This was a calculated criminal venture in which a totally innocent man going about his business was threatened with being shot and made to carry a highly dangerous weapon which, if it had detonated, would undoubtedly have killed him.

Mr Justice Burgess

While no one was hurt in the bomb attack, it caused massive widespread damage to buildings and cars in the area.

Prosecuting QC Terence Mooney told the court that, such was the intensity of the explosion, an Ammunition Technical Officer could find no trace of the bomb itself.

But it had been estimated that it had contained 50-100 kilos of high explosive.

Mr Mooney had also outlined to the court how the driver of the hijacked taxi was ordered to drive, first to Glenfida Park where the bomb was put in the boot of his car, and then to the police station.

As the car sat parked waiting on the device being delivered, Mr Mooney said that one of the gunmen sent a text message after his accomplice told him to "tell them to hurry up".

The taxi driver was warned that he would be followed to Strand Road PSNI station and that he would be shot if he did not follow commands.

But the driver warned his depot what was happening and an evacuation operation was already underway when the car arrived.

The following day, police raided O'Donnell's home and recovered two mobile phones which had been used in the dissident republican attack.

On one of the phones, the court heard, was the text message the gunman had sent from the back of the hijacked taxi.

Mr Mooney said it was the Crown view that O'Donnell had "played an active and significant role in the plan" to attack the police station, given the fact that he had made the calls to lure the taxi drivers and to issue the bomb warning.

"Although it is accepted that the evidence indicates that he aided and abetted the principals to the offence, nevertheless his role as disclosed by the evidence was important and indicates that he knew the principal elements of the attack," the lawyer said, adding that Óglaigh na hÉireann are still involved "in a continuing campaign".

Defence QC Eilis McDermott told the court that O'Donnell's political views were influenced when he was a young man and his father was interned, but that since the offence, he regretted his involvement and the damage and impact it had had on his own family.

Jailing O'Donnell, Mr Justice Burgess said that while there was no victim impact report on the driver who had to transport the bomb, he was in no doubt "this would have been a traumatic experience".

The judge ordered that O'Donnell spend half his 13-year sentence in jail and half on licence.

breaking news, real ira, dissident republicans, woman charged, belfast charges, serious crime brancj psni

breaking news, real ira, dissident republicans, woman charged, belfast charges, serious crime brancj psni

A 21-year-old woman has been charged by detectives from Serious Crime Branch investigating dissident republican activity.

The woman was detained on Tuesday in the Whiterock area of west Belfast.

She has been charged with attempting to possess criminal property and perverting the course of justice.

She will appear at Belfast Magistrates' Court on Thursday 10 January.

breaking news, newry real ira, real ira newry, bomb attack, pipe bomb, photographer bomb attack

breaking news, newry real ira, real ira newry, bomb attack, pipe bomb, photographer bomb attack

A pipe bomb has been discovered at the family home of a press photographer in Northern Ireland.

Mark Pearce from Mayobridge near Newry in Co Down has worked as a photographer for over 20 years.
His family was woken by police shortly after midnight at their home in Carraig Crosain. Six homes in their street were evacuated.

Army bomb disposal officers dealt with the viable bomb which had been left outside Mr Pearce's front door.

His two children were in the house at the time. Residents were allowed to return to their homes at about 5.20am. Police have appealed for information about the attack.

SDLP MP Margaret Ritchie said the perpetrators were intent on causing serious injury. "Disruption was caused to that family and to local residents who returned to their properties earlier this morning. The thoughts and prayers of the entire community are with the family," she said. "The message is clear to those who perpetrate these despicable acts - get off our backs and let us live in peace and harmony."

Alliance Party assembly member Trevor Lunn said freedom of the press is paramount in any democratic society: "There should never be any attempt to silence the press through the use of violence. I would like to extend my support to Mark and his family."

Mr Pearce, 39, has a daughter aged 14 and a son aged 12. He said his family was concerned about what this evening could bring.

"As photographers, we have this ability to distance ourselves from what happened. To a certain degree it does not seem real - but this is real. This is my family, this is my children. It is horrible."

He said he had no proof of who may target him, but believed it may have happened because of photographs which he had taken. The cameraman added he had recently received a death threat.

breaking news, eamon kelly funeral, dessie o hare, drug dealers, dublin criminals, real ira, alan ryan

breaking news, eamon kelly funeral, dessie o hare, drug dealers, dublin criminals, real ira, alan ryan

SLAIN gangster Eamon Kelly was buried today at a large funeral attended by several hundred people including former INLA leader Dessie O’Hare.

O’Hare described the crime godfather, who was a close friend before he was gunned down last week, as one of Ireland’s “martyrs”.


He said that the 65-year-old was part of the “terrible beauty” of the Irish struggle against British colonialism. After the funeral, he helped carry the coffin from Killester’s St Brigid’s Church.


O’Hare had arrived at the home of the veteran gangster shortly after 8am to help with arrangements for the Mass.


The shooting dead of Kelly (65) near his home last week was described in the church as “evil” by Monsignor Alex Stenson.


The parish priest said that the killing was “a dreadful act” which had violated his family and the entire community.


Kelly – who groomed many of the city’s most notorious criminals – was gunned down just yards from his home on Furry Park Road nine days ago.


This morning a lone piper marched ahead of mourners as his coffin was carried shoulder high from his home to the church.

Gardai kept a low profile as several hundred people, including some senior criminals, attended the Mass.

The chief mourners today were his five remaining sons and two remaining daughters.


His son Robert and daughter Jenny predeceased him and his wife Ann died of cancer last year.


Monsignor Stenson, who lives on the same road as the slain gang leader, said his death by shooting outside his home was a “terrible crime” and he called for an end to all further violence.


He said the pain of his grieving family was very strong as they had lost a father, a grandfather and a great-grandfather.


To his family, he was extremely generous and was renowned as “a giver” who will be deeply missed by his loved ones.


His children remembered fondly their family holidays in Achill Island, which was one of Kelly’s favourite holiday destinations, he said.


The priest said that Kelly was in the midst of the community and it was a blessing that local people were able to go to his aid and pray with him as he lay dying on the ground.


He was buried in an ornate dark wood coffin that was engraved with scenes from The Last Supper.


Kelly (65) was close friends with O’Hare and the pair regularly drank together.

Breaking news, derry ira charges, Dublin real ira, dissident republicans, drug dealers, informers, sean connolly, eamon Kelly murder, an garda siochana

Breaking news, derry ira charges, Dublin real ira, dissident republicans, drug dealers, informers, sean connolly, eamon Kelly murder, an garda siochana

A court where three men have appeared in connection with the discovery of an armour-piercing rocket in Londonderry has heard that the device contained Semtex explosive.

The accused arrived at Bishop Street courthouse in Derry on Monday, to cheers from waiting supporters and amid a heavy security presence.

Damien Harkin, 47 and from Westland Avenue; Jason Lee Ceulman, 42 and from Lecky Road; and 47-year-old Neil Christopher Hegarty, from Sackville Street, are all suspected members of the 'New IRA'.

They are charged with possession of an EFP - and explosively formed projectile - and with conspiracy to murder and possession of walkie-talkies for use in an act of terrorism.

The three men were arrested in a Renault Mégane, which was stopped by police in the Creggan area of the city on Thursday night.

During a search of the vehicle, officers found a holdall containing an armour-piercing rocket.

Appearing in the dock, all three men refused to recognise the court.

But a detective constable said that she could connect all three accused with the charges and added that police believed they had "foiled a deadly attack".

The court heard that the device had contained 200g of Semtex plastic explosive and, if it had been deployed, it would have caused extensive damage, loss of life, or serious injury.

The detective constable further told the court that police believed all three accused were members of a group styled as the 'New IRA', which posed a "significant threat" to police and prison officers.

During police questioning, none of the men had admitted membership of the group or made any further admissions.

Their bail applications were adjourned amid legal arguments over the admissibility of intelligence evidence and will now be heard on Thursday.

Real IRA Dublin Whats Happening?

THE MAN charged with the murder of criminal godfather Eamon Kelly is under 24-hour protection in jail after being accused of informing on his Real IRA 'comrades'. 34-yearold Sean Connolly is in an isolation cell on 'A' Landing in Portlaoise prison, after threats to his life from Real IRA inmates.

It had been expected that the mobster would be housed in the Real IRA landing at the jail when he arrived on Friday night, but he has been moved to a 'safe' landing over fears he could be murdered. His former dissident pals believe that he has given gardai detailed information about the murder of Kelly and has implicated five men in the plot.

Jail bosses decided that it was not safe for the father of two to mix with Real IRA prisoners and sources say that he did not object and was "happy" to go on protection.

Connolly was charged with murder at the Special Criminal Court after being arrested just minutes after Eamon Kelly was shot dead. The 65-year-old was shot three times in the chest with a handgun as he walked towards his home at Furry Park Road in Killester at about 4pm last Monday. As his accomplice slowed down in a Lexus car, the gunman jumped out of the car and opened fire.

Shortly after the shooting, gardai - who were patrolling the area - pounced on Connolly, who was near to a black Lexus which had been set alight. He spent four full days in Garda custody before being charged with the murder.

Real IRA chiefs were suspicious that he was charged considering that gardai had not found the gun used in the murder, and believed there was little to link him to the killing. They did not trust Connolly because of his links to a prominent Crumlin drugs gang and accused him of informing.

Their suspicions were heightened yesterday when gardai swooped to arrest six people in connection with the Kelly slaying.

Serious

One of those in custody is a convicted IRA member who has links to a prominent Sinn Fein elected representative.

A source said: "The Real IRA smelt a rat when Connolly was charged and it was decided that he must have spoken to gardai and named names, which is the ultimate no-no.

"Intelligence was received that there was a serious threat to his life so there is no way that he could have been allowed into the RIRA landing, not that they would have let him in.

"He's not allowed to mix with anyone. There are serious concerns for his safety even though there is no evidence he has given gardai any info.

"However, he is very unpopular in the organisation and was always shunned by Alan Ryan and the Dublin leadership."

Sean Connolly and other members of the Real IRA were seen openly snorting cocaine at the Swedish House Mafia gig, that cocaine was supplied by members of Brian Rattigan’s drug gang. Some members of the Real IRA were seriously compromised by their abuse of drugs and it is understood that Eamon Kelly, members of Continuity IRA and other drug dealers had inside information that helped them track down and use a Provo for hire hit-man to murder Alan Ryan.

It is understood that Sean Connolly had been given Eamon Kelly as a 'target' by the Real IRA's Northern leadership in a bid to exert control over the organisation's Dublin wing. The Real IRA has been gripped by internal dissent since its boss Ryan was gunned down in September.

Kelly is not believed to have had any significant involvement in Alan Ryan's murder, but instead was targeted to put manners on drug gangs and to encourage them to pay protection money.

Despite his public anti-drugs and anti-crime stance, Connolly struck up close links with members of mobster Brian Rattigan's gang since his release from prison last year. He was spotted with junior members of the gang at last summer's controversial Swedish House Mafia concert - including Rattigan's cousin Aaron.

Following Ryan's murder in September, RIRA bosses are said to have assigned 'targets' to individual cell leaders in Dublin. It is believed that Connolly was placed in charge of two units of the RIRA on Dublin's southside after Ryan's murder. Connolly was a friend of Ryan and they were both on the same wing of Portlaoise Prison during the last decade.

However, Connolly's dissident gang is believed to have operated independently of Ryan's. A source claimed that Connolly has become increasingly paranoid following Ryan's death, and there has always been a suspicion that he was working for the security services. Connolly had travelled north of the border on a number of occasions although he was allegedly wanted for serious crimes in the north. This pattern follows previous activity by INLA members during the 1986 feud, where certain individuals were able to travel north without arrest.

Innocent

Connolly's RIRA mob has been responsible for a wave of violence. This included the savage shooting of innocent banker Keith Deegan in Tallaght in April and the placing of a pipe bomb at the home of an elderly female relative of Eric 'Lucky' Wilson. Connolly is also believed to have threatened Lucky's brother, John. He was furious with the Wilson family as he blamed one of their close associates for killing his pal, Darren Cogan, in July 2011.

In April, Connolly's gang members shot Deegan (32), in the thigh and foot at his home in Citywest in a case of mistaken identity. Connolly's brother is also a well-known criminal with more than 30 convictions. In September, Ronan Connolly (28), was given a seven-month sentence for handling stolen property and burglary. The court heard he was caught in possession of a vice grips in Galway in June 2012 with the intent to use it in the course of a burglary.

In December, Sean Connolly was also arrested after two men were shot in Bluebell, Dublin. Sean Kearns (43), from Claddagh Road, Ballyfermot, was shot in the leg and Stephen Fitzpatrick (24), suffered injuries to the chest when gunmen broke into the house on Huband Road.

Detectives believe Mr Fitzpatrick was not a target and was shot by accident. Connolly was held for 48 hours before being released without charge.

Condemning drug dealers in public Snorting in Private

RIRA SUSPECT Nathan Kinsella (33), was kneecapped after cocaine was allegedly found in his apartment by an internal dissident discipline squad.

A stash of drugs - which included cocaine and 'downers' - were found in Kinsella's north inner-city apartment by the RIRA's internal security unit last month. The find has led to a major split within the group in Dublin, with a number of people effectively being kicked out of the organisation. However, some people who have attended house parties run by the RIRA had told of the use of class A drugs by Real IRA members and the use of under-age girls.

It is believed that Kinsella strenuously denied being the owner of the drugs, but he was ignored and was shot twice in the legs before being dumped in Ballyfermot on November 25. Kinsella was quizzed by gardai, but has claimed he did not know the shooter.

On Thursday, Kinsella's close pal Daryl Mulcahy (21), was refused entry on to the E3 landing in Portlaoise Prison by Real IRA members. Hours earlier, Mulcahy had been charged with membership of the RIRA and unlawful possession of a firearm. It is alleged that he was set up by a high ranking informer.

Nightmare

A source has said illegal drugs being found in the possession of a senior member is the RIRA's "worst nightmare". The terror group use their so-called anti-drugs stance to get support from vulnerable communities on both sides of the border - despite the fact they allow gangs to sell drugs as long as they pay a tax.

The discovery of the drugs in Kinsella's apartment has sent shockwaves through the RIRA and has led to the Northern leadership effectively taking control of the Dublin brigade. However, the reality is that the Real IRA in Dublin are nothing more than de-facto drug dealers.

Under Ryan's leadership, the RIRA in Dublin were largely independent and only had to send funds up to the North. Now senior dissidents from the North have taken control and are attempting to stamp out blatant criminality within the group, however, with Dublin gang members pocketing the majority of proceeds from criminal activity it is unlikely that trend will stop.

In September, Kinsella was charged with IRA membership in the Special Criminal Court as part of the investigation into paramilitary criminal activity at the funeral of Alan Ryan.

This week, SDU Detective Brian Power told the Special Criminal Court that he had arrested Mulcahy, outside Mountjoy Garda Station on the North Circular Road. He said he had arrested him for possession of a firearm under suspicious circumstances the previous day on Temple Street, Dublin, and for membership of the IRA on the same occasion.

Detective Power said he informed Mulcahy that the DPP had directed he be brought before the next sitting of the Special Criminal Court charged with the offences and that he made no reply to either charge.

Dessie O’Hare – Serial Killer back in the fray

THIS IS the friendship that spells the unofficial declaration of war for the Real IRA mob that whacked gangland godfather Eamon Kelly. The cocaine-smuggling pensioner had mentored some of Ireland's most evil drug lords over the years, but it's his association with the 'Border Fox', self-confessed serial killer Dessie O'Hare, which is striking dread into detectives leading the fight on organised crime.

The notorious INLA chief, who once admitted murdering 26 people, was regularly seen socialising in pubs in Clontarf with Kelly. Sean Connolly (34), of Bernard Curtis House, Bluebell, Dublin, was charged with Kelly's murder at a special sitting of the Special Criminal Court this weekend. He was also charged with IRA membership and possession of a weapon. Detectives hope the development will diffuse some of the tension in the city.

"Given who's involved all hell could still break loose," a source said.

Once Ireland's most wanted man, 56- year-old O'Hare was released in 2006 after serving 19 years of a 40-year sentence, following the Good Friday Agreement. The psycho was captured in a shootout in Kilkenny in 1987 after cutting off dentist John O'Grady's fingers with a hammer and chisel. He also infamously took a bolt cutter to another victim's ear before shooting him dead.

Bloodiest

Now crime fighters fear the tit-for-tat feud that saw Real IRA boss Alan Ryan taken out in September is about to escalate into the bloodiest underworld battle ever.

"Eamon Kelly and Dessie O'Hare became best buddies in Portlaoise," a Sunday World source said.

"Eamon was top of the 'food chain' in the prison and this was at a time when you had the remnants of Martin Cahill's gang, people like Harry Melia, serving alongside John Gilligan's gang, and Christy 'Bronco' Dunne."

The rogues' gallery were behind some of the most notorious crimes ever committed in the State: Martin Cahill's gang of armed robbers planted the car bomb that caused devastating injuries to the founder of the forensic science lab, Dr Jim Donovan, while druglord John Gilligan was tried and acquitted of the murder of journalist Veronica Guerin. And Christy Dunne was the notorious brother of hated kingpin Larry Dunne, who flooded Dublin with heroin in the seventies and early eighties.

"Eamon Kelly would have got on with all of them, but also with the younger lads who were confrontational. He was also the only one who could get through to Dessie," said our source.

Father-of-nine Kelly became best mates with INLA headcase O'Hare through his involvement with Saor Eire in the 1970s. The organisation wanted to spark a socialist revolution funded by armed bank robberies, shooting garda Richard Fallon dead in cold blood as he intervened in a bank robbery on Dublin's Arran Quay in 1970.

"Kelly was in Saor Eire in the seventies," our source said.

"Himself and Dessie would go for long walks in the yard and God only knows what they were plotting."

Detectives fear O'Hare, who has grown increasingly paranoid in recent years, will pull out all stops to avenge Kelly's death. O'Hare was the victim of a suspected beating by dissident republicans near Kelly's home last year. He told medics in Dublin's Mater Hospital that he'd been involved in a hit and run.

Four years ago his brother Paddy took his own life after Dessie invested in his business and it lost everything in the property crash. Kelly had previously survived an assassination attempt two years ago when a pistol pointed at his temple jammed. Now he's gone, detectives fear O'Hare will go to whatever lengths necessary to avenge his old pal.