RIRA SECRET PEACE TALKS?
President’s office denies Martin McAleese is holding discussions aimed at ending armed group’s campaign
By Connla Young
29/06/2006
A Spokesperson for President Mary McAleese’s office yesterday denied her husband has held secret peace talks with the Real IRA aimed at bringing an end to the group’s armed campaign,
Informed sources have claimed that Martin McAleese has been holding discussions with the republican grouping, which is opposed to the Good Friday Agreement, for the past 18 months,
As part of a bid to bolster the peace process, it has emerged that the Real IRA’s leadership has not sanctioned any violent attacks in the North since March 2005.
News that the organisation’s leadership has not ordered any attacks to be carried out in over 12 months has fuelled speculation that it may be considering a ceasefire, their first since one was called in the days after the 1998 Omagh bombing in which 29 people were killed.
Mr McAleese will accompany the president to Belfast today for a visit to south Belfast to launch a cross-community project.
It is not known if the Ulster Defence Association’s most senior member and South Belfast brigadier Jackie McDonald will attend the event.
The couple have established firm links with the veteran loyalist in recent years in an effort to assist the UDA to leave its violent past behind.
It is understood the couple, through Martin McAleese, have also attempted to talk the Real IRA into bringing its campaign to an end for good.
It is believed talks between the Real IRA and Martin McAleese have focused on a number of issues including prisoner release and a financial package for deprived nationalist areas similar to the one announced by the British government earlier this year for unionist districts.
A spokesperson for Mary McAleese last night denied that any meetings have taken place. “Doctor McAleese hasn’t had any meetings with the Real IRA,” said the spokesperson.
