Real IRA warns of new attacks despite deep internal rifts

The Real IRA warned yesterday of a new spate of attacks, despite an internal dispute which prompted reports that the organisation was about to disband.

A statement urged civilians to stay away from police and Army bases in Northern Ireland, warning that anyone entering would do so "at their own risk". The statement, telephoned with a recognised code word to the Derry Journal newspaper in Londonderry, said that a number of planned attacks had been cancelled because civilians were near by. The statement followed reports of a deep rift within the breakaway republican faction, which killed 29 people in the 1998 Omagh bombing. Prisoners aligned to the organisation in Portlaoise prison in the Irish Republic condemned members of the organisation's "army council" for being more concerned with money than politics, and called on them to stand down "with ignominy".

The split led to unconfirmed reports that the faction would disband. But yesterday's statement claimed responsibility for a coffee-jar bomb attack on Castlederg Police Station in Co Tyrone and indicated that more attacks were being planned.

It said: "We warn all civilians to stay away from military installations and Crown Force personnel. A number of recent attacks have had to be aborted due to the presence of civilians in the vicinity. Anyone entering military installations does so at their own risk."

The dissidents were also blamed for a series of hoax bomb alerts in the centre of Belfast and at Belfast International airport.

Michael Gallagher, whose son Aidan was one those killed in the group's attack on Omagh, said he was not surprised at the threat of more violence.

He said: "It is a clear message that they are going to continue killing innocent people. The only people who have decided to pursue a peaceful path are those who are locked up in jail and are powerless to do anything about it."