Óglaigh na hÉireann (Real IRA splinter group)
Óglaigh na hÉireann (often abbreviated as ONH) is the title taken by a small dissident Irish republican paramilitary that formed in 2009 as a faction within the Real Irish Republican Army,[1] although it claims to be independent of the Real IRA. To distinguish it from a Continuity IRA splinter group of the same name, it is sometimes referred to as Real IRA/ONH.[1]
As of late 2010, Óglaigh na hÉireann is deemed the most dangerous and active Irish republican paramilitary. In December 2010, the group's strength was estimated to be about 50 members and it is recruiting and training in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.[2] The group has carried out high-profile attacks on the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and the British Army in Northern Ireland.
Actions
2009
- 1 September: Óglaigh na hÉireann was believed to have been behind the planting of a 600 lb roadside bomb close to the border near Forkill, County Armagh. It was likely meant to blow up a PSNI patrol. However, it was abandoned by those who planted it, and defused by the British Army.[3][4]
- 16 October: Óglaigh na hÉireann claimed responsibility for detonating a booby-trap bomb under a PSNI officer's car in Kingsdale Park, east Belfast. The bomb exploded as the officer's girlfriend was driving the car, although she suffered minor wounds. The bomb was planted under the passenger side, as the woman usually drove her partner to work.[5][6]
- 21 November: Óglaigh na hÉireann was blamed for a failed car bomb attack on the Northern Ireland Policing Board headquarters in Belfast. A 400 lb car bomb was driven through a security barrier by two men, who then fled. The bomb partially exploded.[7][8]
2010
- 8 January: Óglaigh na hÉireann claimed responsibility for an under-car booby-trap bomb attack on a PSNI officer in Randalstown, County Antrim. The bomb exploded shortly after the officer left his home. He was badly hurt in the attack and had to have one of his legs amputated.[9][10]
- 12 April: Óglaigh na hÉireann was blamed for a car bomb attack on Palace Barracks in Holywood, County Down. The British Army base houses MI5's Northern Ireland headquarters. A taxi driver had been forced to drive the 120 lb bomb to the base. He abandoned the car shortly before midnight, prompting the PSNI to clear the area. The bomb exploded twenty minutes later, lightly wounding an elderly man. This attack was initially blamed on the Real IRA.[11][12][13]
- 6 May: Óglaigh na hÉireann's Derry Brigade claimed responsibility for disrupting an election count (for the 2010 Westminster election) at Templemore Sports Complex in Derry. The group had hidden a hoax device in the building before the count began. As the count was underway, Óglaigh na hÉireann members forced a taxi driver to drive a pipe bomb to the building. A warning was issued, and the building was evacuated shortly before midnight. The British Army carried out a controlled explosion on the pipe bomb, but the other device was not found for a further four days.[14][15]
- 12 July: Óglaigh na hÉireann's Derry Brigade claimed responsibility for a gun attack on a burning PSNI vehicle during a riot. Five shots were fired at the vehicle after it had been hit with petrol bombs in the Bogside area of Derry after several hours of rioting (as a result of The Twelfth parades).[16]
- 3 August: Óglaigh na hÉireann's Derry Brigade claimed responsibility for detonating a 200lb car bomb outside Strand Road PSNI base in Derry. Like the attack on 12 April, a taxi driver was forced to drive the bomb to the base. The bomb exploded at 0320, 22 minutes earlier than the warning had said, but there were no casualties.[17][18]
- 21 September: Óglaigh na hÉireann's Derry Brigade claimed responsibility for a gun attack in Derry. The group said that its members had went to a house to order the occupant, Sean Healy, to leave the country. When the gunmen found that he was not at home, they fired shots through the windows of his car.[19]
- 5 November: Óglaigh na hÉireann's Belfast Brigade claimed responsibility for a grenade attack on three PSNI officers in Belfast. The officers were investigating a robbery on Shaws Road when a man on a bike threw the grenade. All three were injured and one suffered severe arm wounds.[20]
2011
- 7 February: Óglaigh na hÉireann claimed responsibility for an arson attack on a taxi depot on Oldpark Road, Belfast. It claimed that the owners were using the depot as a cover for drug dealing.[21]
- 27 March: Óglaigh na hÉireann claimed responsibility for planting a car bomb in Derry. The 110 pounds (50 kg) bomb was left in a car-park on Bishop Street, beside the court-house. The group issued a telephoned warning and the bomb was made safe by the security forces.[22]
- 28 March: Óglaigh na hÉireann claimed responsibility for throwing a "coffee-jar bomb" at the PSNI on Grosvenor Road, Belfast. The device deflected into waste ground. The group then issued a telephoned warning and it was made safe by the security forces.[22]
See also
References
External links