Northern Ireland

Hardline republican Facebook pages targeted in purge

Facebook has deleted Facebook pages linked to hardline republican groups
Facebook has deleted Facebook pages linked to hardline republican groups Facebook has deleted Facebook pages linked to hardline republican groups

Multiple Facebook pages linked to hardline republican groups have been closed down in an online purge this week.

It is understood Republican Sinn Féin (RSF), Saoradh and the 32 County Sovereignty Movement (CSM) have all been targeted in the social media clearout.

It is understood that no loyalist linked pages have been targeted.

Earlier this week, the Irish News revealed that a large number of pages linked to the 32 CSM have been closed down in recent days.

It has now emerged that RSF party pages and the individual profiles of up to 15 party members, including some at senior level, have also been hit.

The party's main national page, which had more than 30,000 followers, was one of those deleted on Tuesday.

It is understood that a series of replacement pages and profiles were also shut down yesterday.

RSF was founded in 1986 after a Sinn Féin split over a decision to take their seats in the Dail and is considered to be the political wing of the Continuity IRA.

Saoradh was formed in 2016 and has previously spoken in support of New IRA prisoners.

The 32 CSM was formed in 1997 to oppose Sinn Féin’s peace process direction and had been linked to the Real IRA which was amalgamated into the New IRA in 2012.

A RSF spokesman claimed British state agencies are behind the move.

"It's our belief the hand of the state and it's agenda are at play here," he said.

"It's utter and complete censorship of individuals opposed to the state."

It is believed a Facebook page linked to a campaign opposing the extradition to Lithuania of south Armagh republican Liam Campbell has also been removed in recent weeks.

Pages belonging to Saoradh in Derry and three members of its public relations department have also been shut down.

A page promoting the Irish Republican Prisoners Welfare Association, which is linked to the party, was also deleted.

Saoradh spokesman Stephen Murney, whose personal page was affected, said the move was "political censorship...and an attack on a political party".

He believes the British "establishment", including MI5 and PSNI, are behind the closures.

A spokeswoman for Facebook had earlier said it had "reviewed this organisation and determined it violated our dangerous organisations policy," she said.

SDLP Policing Board spokeswoman Dolores Kelly last night said: "I don't know what shocks me more, the fact that Facebook have closed down their hate-filled pages or that they are surprised their pages have been closed down."

Facebook was contacted for comment.