I.R.A. hard-line leader resigns

Press, 18 October 1976, Page 9

I.R.A. hard-line leader resigns

NZPA-Reuter Dublin Maire Drumm, a 54-year-old grandmother who once threatened that the Irish Republican Army would tear Belfast apart brick by brick, has announced her resignation as vicepresident of Sinn Fein, the I.R.A.’s political wing.

Mrs Drumm told a twoday Sinn Fein conference in Dublin on Saturday that she was resigning for health reasons, but would remain a member of the organisation’s policy-making council. Her co-vice-president, David O’Connell, was sentenced to 18 months in gaol in Dublin last week, leaving Sinn Fein’s president, Rory O’Brady, the only functioning officer.

Sinn Fein sources said Joe Cahill, former Belfast commander of the 1.R.A., would probably assume Mrs Drumm’s post. Mrs Drumm, a Belfast housewife living in the staunchly pro-I.R.A. Andersonstown district of the city, was arrested in Northern Ireland after her speech last summer in which she said the LR.A. would tear Belfast apart if the British did not leave Northern Ireland. She was released a few days later without being charged, but she still faces a five-day gaol sentence in the Republic for refusing to pay a fine imposed for an I.R.A. march last April. Mrs Drumm’s resignation was announced to the conference in a message from her. She stressed that she

was quitting for health reasons and ’ declared her unqualified support for Sinn Fein policies and leadership.

Two terrorists were killed by their own bomb when they blew up a gasworks in Belfast on Satruday night, the Press Association reported. The explosion set fire to one of the three gas-holders at the works in Orneau Road, starting a blaze which lit up the entire city. Nearby houses had to be evacuated.

An eyewitness said the explosion came about 15 minutes before a fireball eruted from the gas-holder, only about 50 metres from accommodation used by troops. Gas board officials cut off the supply of gas two hours after the explosion. They said there was no danger of further fire, but army experts continued to check the area for further devices. All that remainded of the holder was a gaunt steel skeleton. It was understood from army sources that one of the bodies was too badly charred to be identifiable, but it was hoped to identify the other.