Fears splinter group murdered Kerr

AS the funeral of Ronan Kerr takes place today, fears mount that a new dissident group may have been behind the murder as no one has claimed responsibility.

A disgruntled group of republicans are recently believed to have defected from the mainstream IRA in Co Tyrone.

A senior republican speaking to media in the North said dissidents may simply be trying “to sew confusion”, but also pointed to the storm of condemnation that followed the weekend killing.

He said it was interesting that nobody had so far claimed responsibility.

“I don’t think they anticipated the backlash. They probably hadn’t thought about it.

“It may give them cause to think.”

Meanwhile, a £50,000 (€57,000) reward has been offered for any information that will help catch Mr Kerr’s murderers.

The 25-year-old Catholic was killed by an under-car bomb in Omagh.

Independent charity Crimestoppers put up the sum saying it will offer money for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the “despicable crime”.

A book of condolence has been opened in Omagh in honour of Mr Kerr, whose Requiem Mass will be held in the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Beragh, with burial afterwards in Drumduff Cemetery.

As the funeral takes place in Tyrone, thousands are expected to gather in Belfast city centre at a trade union-organised peace rally to protest at the killing.

Meanwhile, a Sinn Féin councillor reportedly risked his life on Monday to drive a suspected bomb from a garage forecourt just yards from where a group of children were playing football.

Magherafelt councillor Peter Bateson acted after being told by local people that there was a suspected pipe-bomb which was believed to be strapped to a work van in Toomebridge. However, police have since said the object was a hoax.