Probe into CIRA threats on drug trade

THE Garda Special Branch is investigating claims from the Continuity IRA that it will use “extreme” measures against drug dealers across Dublin and throughout the country.

The investigation follows threats from the breakaway republican group against suspected drug dealers made in a number of phone calls to national newspapers.

The CIRA recently left a sophisticated hoax bomb on the driveway of a house occupied by a drug abuser in the Blanchardstown area of north Dublin.

In a phone call to a daily newspaper at the time, the CIRA threatened further action against people they consider to be involved in the drug trade.

The warning said: "This is a message from the Continuity IRA. We will not tolerate drug dealing in Blanchardstown, in Dublin, or anywhere else in Ireland. We will go to all extremes to stop drug dealing."

The previous week, the same person made a phone call to another newspaper, stating that it had left a device at the house of a named family in Whitechapel Grove in Clonsilla, near Blanchardstown. Gardaí found no one of that name living in the area and a cursory search found nothing.

The following day, the caller again rang the paper. Gardaí then discovered a device at the driveway of a house. When officers investigated, a man with the name given by the CIRA was living in the house with another woman.

Gardaí called out an Army bomb squad, which examined the device.

"The Explosive Ordnance Disposal commandant said it was a very elaborate device," said a garda source. "There was a component missing that would have finished the job. They knew that."

Sources said the intended target was not a drug dealer, but was a drug abuser.

"We're not saying he doesn't need watching, but he's at the bottom of the pile. He's a soft target," said one garda.

Gardaí are understood to have given advice to the man, suggesting he move out of the house.

"We're treating this as very serious and are investigating the matter," said a garda.

He said the Special Detective Unit which targets paramilitary activity was assisting in the investigation.

The Special Branch, as it is also known, is examining a number of incidents possibly connected with the CIRA's self-proclaimed anti-drug campaign.