British 'may change law' to allow Real IRA convictions

The Northern Secretary has said that the British government may change the law to ensure that members of the Real IRA could be convicted.

The announcement comes after yesterday’s ruling in the British Crown Court that the group is not listed as a proscribed organisation under the relevant terrorism legislation.

Four men were cleared of membership of the Real IRA because of the loophole, which means that it is not classed as an illegal organisation.

Fine Gael’s Justice Spokesperson, Jim O’Keefe, is concerned that the same situation could arise in this jurisdiction.

He has called on the Government to make a clear statement as to the position in the Republic, and to draft new legislation if necessary to close off this loophole.