Vigilantes publish threat to murder other drug dealers in city
By Eoin English
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
VIGILANTES who claimed responsibility for a gun murder in Cork last month have threatened to kill other drug dealers in the city.
A leaflet circulated last weekend by dissident republicans warning the Real IRA has a list of alleged drug dealers who they have "marked for execution".
The leaflet was distributed to several pubs by members of the 32 County Sovereignty Movement, which said it had been contacted by the Real IRA.
It makes reference to Gerard ‘Topper’ Staunton, the convicted drug dealer gunned down in Wilton on January 20. It said in relation to Mr Staunton, "our hand was forced", but "hoped our actions will help many parents sleep better at night".
Gardaí are keeping an open mind on a subsequent claim by the Real IRA that it was responsible for his murder.
The letter then states: "When we do act, it is not an act of vigilantism or gangland activity but military action. We are trained and disciplined volunteers. Those who deal death to our children will themselves have death dealt to them by our hands."
Gardaí are aware of the letter and are treating it seriously.
Independent city councillor Mick Finn said the letter, similar to one distributed by the 32 County Sovereignty Movement last September that threatened to kill anyone who continues to deal drugs, represents a worrying trend. "While I have no sympathy whatsoever for drug dealers, their families or their friends, the fact that dissident groups are taking it on themselves to deal with drug issues in their own communities has major repercussions for the general rule of law."
"The gardaí are fully aware of these recent developments and the force must be given the proper armoury to deal with such a worrying trend."
The Real IRA was formed in 1997 following a split in the Provisional IRA. It was responsible for the 1998 Omagh bomb.
The 32 County Sovereignty Movement is described as the political wing of the Real IRA.
a d v e r t i s e m e n t
This appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Tuesday, February 09, 2010
