The only three members of the "Real IRA" being held in British jails are to be repatriated to the Republic, it has been reported.
Today's London Times quoted an official source in the Republic as saying that Britain had acceded to a request for the three to be sent to Irish jails even though the breakaway republican group is believed to be behind two recent bombings in London.
A senior British security source predicted yesterday that the "Real IRA" would strike again on the mainland and said the group could be planning a "spectacular" bombing.
"Real IRA" members Tony Hyland, Liam Grogan and Darren Mulholland were convicted of conspiracy to cause explosions in London in the summer of 1998, when they were students.
The Times quoted Mr Alan Mulligan, a spokesman for the Department of Justice, as saying that they had successfully applied to be moved to a jail in the Republic under the European Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons. The paper said they were expected to be sent to Portlaoise Prison, which already holds members of the group.