IRA Resistance
IRA grassroots resist leaders on disbanding
12 June 2005
By Paul T Colgan and Barry O’Kelly
The IRA leadership is facing resistance among its grassroots members about plans to wind down the organisation and decommission weaponry, republican sources have said.
An unprecedented consultation with rank-and-file IRA members has been carried out in recent weeks following the invitation by Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams on April 6 for the IRA to embrace a completely political strategy.
The rumblings of discontent are believed to centre on the east Tyrone and border brigades of the IRA. However, sources said the leadership should still be able to push through the effective disbandment of the organisation.
Republican sources said that the IRA would not allow photographs to be taken of the decommissioned weapons, despite calls for this by the Taoiseach and Tony Blair. It is expected that the organisation will allow two clergymen, one Catholic and one Protestant, to verify that decommissioning had taken place.
Unlike previous occasions, the final decision to stand down will not be made at an IRA army convention, the sources said.
A number of changes were made to the IRA constitution in 1997 that may allow the leadership to take a decision without putting it to a vote.
“Changes were made in 1997, which could allow them to do that,” said a republican source.
Republicans are thought to be concerned that a formal meeting of the IRA army council and executive could provide a platform for those opposed to standing down.
In 1997, former IRA quartermaster Michael McKevitt walked out on an army convention, and later went on to form the Real IRA.
Government sources believe an IRA statement will happen before July 10 -Drumcree Sunday. The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, said last week that he did not expect to have to wait much longer for the statement.
“Last year we had a lot of tensions, so I would hope that we will be able to manage that to get it into a positive context,” he said. Ahern has met senior Sinn Féin members on three occasions in recent weeks, prompting speculation that a move by the IRA is imminent.
