Opinion

Analysis: New IRA has ramped up violence, without aim or objective

 Forensic officers work at the scene of the fatal shooting in the Creggan estate in Derry of journalist Lyra McKee. Picture by Brian Lawless, PA Wire
 Forensic officers work at the scene of the fatal shooting in the Creggan estate in Derry of journalist Lyra McKee. Picture by Brian Lawless, PA Wire  Forensic officers work at the scene of the fatal shooting in the Creggan estate in Derry of journalist Lyra McKee. Picture by Brian Lawless, PA Wire

THE person who murdered Lyra McKee, captured in a sinister video stepping out of the shadows to fire the fatal shot, was probably no older than the woman whose life he took.

Those who work on the ground in Derry have been warning for some time that young people are being actively recruited into the organisation known as the ‘New IRA’ - with even younger children used like cannon fodder on the periphery of that organisation's activity.

While other dissident groups have either wound down, or in the case of Oglaigh na hEireann, called a ceasefire, the New IRA has ramped up its campaign of violence, seemingly without aim or objective.

Read more:

  • Two teenagers held over Lyra McKee murder released without charge
  • Dissident republican group claims journalist Lyra McKee was shot dead 'accidentally' in Derry
  • Lyra McKee's partner says she has 'lost the woman I was planning to grow old with'

Journalists murdered in the past in Ireland, Veronica Guerin and Martin O’Hagan were targeted by the criminal gangs they had pursued relentlessly through their reporting.

In this case the shooting was a random attack. It could just have just as easily been a child, a mother or a sister of one of those responsible for orchestrating the violence as the 29-year-old author.

In an urban area like the Creggan, with hundreds of young people on the streets, the high likelihood of a tragedy must surely have been known to those who issued the order. They must have considered that possibility, but instead decided feeding their insatiable egos by publicly flexing their muscles was more of a priority.

Allison Morris
Allison Morris Allison Morris

The mealy-mouthed excuse for a statement of justification issued by their political wing Saoradh following the murder shows a complete detachment from humanity and reality.

Firing a hand gun at an armoured Jeep is as much use from a ‘military’ perspective as throwing ice cream at a tank.

The only people who were ever in any danger were the ordinary people of Derry and the handful of journalists covering the riot.

The New IRA knew this and to try and justify their actions using language as outdated as their actions, is nothing short of pathetic.

That political leaders have united in condemnation is to be welcomed but will not concern those in a position of leadership within the New IRA.

That the young people who they have groomed with their romanticised version of republicanism could spend the best part of their lives in prison will also not cause them a lost hour's sleep.

While others who wish to see the unification of the island have long since realised debate, economics and demographics are the way to pursue their political aim, the leadership of the New IRA cares little for facts.

Read more:

  • Journalist Lyra McKee (29) shot dead during Derry rioting
  • 'How dare they' - priest who anointed journalist Lyra McKee hits out at killers
  • Lyra McKee's funeral will be 'celebration of her life' says partner

There is no power in peace, no money in peace, no daily ego boost for the flabby sad, spent force that is violent dissident republicanism.

Instilling fear in their own community - be it through shooting teenagers in the knees or threatening business that dare to damage their financial scams - is all they have left.

The only thing that will ever put paid to those responsible for orchestrating the violence that lead to Lyra McKee’s death is rejection by their own community, when they no longer have status but instead feel only the disgust of those who do not want to see their children’s lives destroyed.

It should not have taken the death of a young woman on the streets of Derry to hammer that point home.

Read more:

  • Lyra McKee's murder an attack on peace and democracy'
  • Vigils for murdered journalist Lyra McKee
  • Dissident republican Easter march called off after fatal shooting of journalist Lyra McKee in Derry