LILA. Splinter Group Found

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32266, 8 April 1970, Page 15

LILA. Splinter Group Found

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) LONDON, April 7. A breakaway faction of the outlawed Irish Republican Army (LR.A-) is seeking to foment violence in Northern Ireland and may be responsible for the wave of bomb attacks, “The Times” newspaper reported today.

A centre-page report by a team of journalists says that a new and highly dangerous chapter has been opened in the troubled history of the British province's politics. “Our investigations in Belfast show a pattern of deliberate intent behind last week’s rioting in the Roman C-'tholic estate of Ballymurphy and the chain of bomb explosions that has followed,” the report says. “The Times” says that the eivil rights movement, which has sought to improve conditions for the province’s minority Roman Catholics has spent its force.

"Our inquiry showed that the initiative has been seized by a group representing the rejuvenated old guard of the Irish Republican Army. “They believe that their traditional objective of securing a united Ireland through the destruction of the Protes-tant-dominated north has gained a new credibility in the climate of violence created by the rioting last summer.”

“The Times” says that the I.R.A. split at its annual conference last December and that the old guard, opposed to suggestions that the army should recognise the governments of Belfast, London and Dublin, set up what they called the Provisional Army Council.

The journalists interviewed four ,of the Provisional Army leaders, who said they had tried to keep the people of the Ballymurphy estate off the streets last week.

The newspaper continues: “This, like many of their statements does not stand up to examination. There is clear evidence that others who did in fact try to cool the situation in Ballymurphy were either ignored or roundly abused.” “The Times” says that it had heard evidence that members of the Provisional Army encouraged rioters on two nights last week.