Time running out, I.R.A, leader says

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33740, 13 January 1975, Page 13

Time running out, I.R.A, leader says

1)1 Bl IX. January 12. l ime is running out in Northern Ireland's fragile peace, an Irish Republican Army chieftain has warned the British (>o\ eminent.

David O'Connell, reputed chief of stall ot the I.R.A. guerrillas, last night cited the “responsibility, control and discipline" shown by the I.R.A. in maintaining the cease-fire since Christmas Eve.

But he gave a warning of a resumption of violence unless Britain responded bs the truce deadline on fhursday to I.R.A. demands for a British commitment to withdraw troops from Northern Ireland and to release suspected I.R.A. terrorists held in detention.

“Time is running out and it would be a tragedy if the British Government were to underestimate the determination of Republicans,” O’Connell said in an interview with the Dublin “Sunday Independent” newspaper.

I The 20-day truce is the jlongest spell of peace since the summer of 1969, but (there have been a few sporadic incidents to mar it. Police are investigating the death on Friday of a suspected I.R.A. man found shot dead near the north-south border, and the Army yesterday exploded two milk churn bombs packed with 48 kilograms of explosives. An Army spokesman said it was likely they were planted before the cease-fire.

Despite official denials, the London “Sunday Times” reported today that the I.R.A.’s political wing, Sinn Fein, was hopeful of direct negotiations with British officials soon. Any such talks have been condemned by Ulster’s Protestant leaders, fearing a “sell-out” to the I.R.A.

One development which might encourage the Provi. sionals to extend the ceasefire would be the release of ■ some detainees.

There is speculation that 60 men might be freed before (the Thursday deadline al|though Government sources

.say there arc no plans for limmediate releases ' The I.RA. yesterday accused British troops and police of breaking the truce by searching a house in the Roman Catholic Falls Road area. An Armv spokesman said that two shots were fired at an armoured car during the search of a house by about 50 troops and police looking for arms and explosives. The spokesman said he did .not know if anything was found. i Troops did not return the fire nor did they pursue the gunman, the spokesman said. No-one was injured in toe incident, one of several minor [shootings since the ceaseI fire went into effect on December 23. During the truce, troops have normally not earned out ! searches in houses in Northem Ireland, and I.RA 'sources said they considered (Friday’s incident a breach of the cease-fire.