A senior Special Branch officer told the Special Criminal Court in Dublin yesterday that the "Real IRA" has carried out 80 terrorist attacks since October 1999. The most recent one was a bomb attack on Maghaberry jail in the north last month.
Det Insp Diarmuid O'Sullivan said firearms and explosives had been used in the 80 attacks, which occurred both within and outside the State. He said in the most recent attack, a jeep containing 65 to 70 kilos of explosives was parked outside Maghaberry jail.
He said the detonator and booster had exploded but not the main bomb contained in the jeep.
Det Insp O'Sullivan, of the Special Detective Unit, was giving evidence before the sentencing of a Dublin man who has been convicted of membership of an illegal organisation.
Robert Brennan (33), of Ballymun, Dublin, was found guilty of membership of an illegal organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army on July 29th last year. He was also convicted of unlawful possession of a stun gun at the Neptune Beach Hotel, Bettystown, Co Meath, on the same date. He had denied the charges.
The court heard during the two- day trial that Brennan was one of four men arrested after an operation by the Special Detective Unit and members of the Crime and Security Branch directed against the "Real IRA".
He was seen by detectives carrying a holdall bag into the Neptune Beach Hotel. When detectives raided a room in the hotel they found a stun gun in the bag. Brennan and three other men were arrested during the operation.
Det Insp O'Sullivan said Brennan had been a member of the "Real IRA" since its formation. He said Brennan's presence at the Neptune Beach Hotel was for the purpose of "enhancing the operation" of the "Real IRA".
The "Real IRA" was, he said, "a secret, oath-bound paramilitary organisation".
He said the "Real IRA" was behind the Omagh bombing of August 1998. The organisation had ostensibly called a cessation to its military activity in September 1998, but he said this was a strategic move.
Brennan's counsel, Mr Peter Finlay SC, said he had been instructed that his client did not propose having any involvement or connection with any subversive or unlawful organisation.
Mr Justice Robert Barr, presiding, said that the court would deliver its sentence today.