The IRA is set to go to war - over punishment attacks. Republican sources
say the group is 'tearing itself apart' over the way ahead and they're
completely split down the middle on so-called civil administration.
The revelation comes just a week after republicans shot a 16-year-old Derry
youth in the left ankle.
But we can reveal that the attack wasn't sanctioned by the Adams/McGuinness
wing of the leadership, prompting fears of a major split in the terror
group.
The raging debate about punishment attacks is just the latest headache for
the republican movement, which is already reeling from Gerry Adams's denial
that he was ever a member of the IRA.
Increasing tensions led to a major row between Sinn Féin activists and
hardline IRA members in the Felons' Club this week.
Republicans came to blows in the west Belfast bar and sources say the row
highlights splits developing among republicans over both the IRA and Sinn
Féin's role in the peace process.
Many believe that Adams has done himself no favours by denying he was ever
a member of the IRA.
And that row will only add to the bitter divisions on the future of the
IRA's role in policing nationalist districts.
One source said: "The Provos are completely split down the middle on this
one.
"Half of them support McGuinness and Adams and are behind the peace
process.
"But the other half are all for the so-called civil administration and as
far as they are concerned it is business as usual and the attack in Derry
just proves that.
"The leadership don't have any control over them.
"But the spotlight is firmly on them now since Hugh Orde said that the
Provos were behind about 50 attacks in the past year.
"They can't get away with it all the time. They can't be talking peace one
minute and shooting kids the other. It doesn't square."
Sinn Féin has accused the PSNI of a series of "unwarranted political
interventions" on the back of the PSNI claim.
Publicly they're saying that the history of attacks can be traced back to
the PSNI's lack of support among the wider nationalist community.
But republican sources say the organisation is hopelessly split on the
matter.
"This could end up really dividing the Provos for good. If they can't rein
in the hawks they'll end up going their own way."
