The Irish News
Barry McCaffrey
Dissident republicans in Co Tyrone are said to be in 'turmoil' amid reports that a leading member has gone into Garda protective custody. Last week Strabane man Martin Kelly (35) appeared in court in the Republic charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life in February 2008. The charges are linked to the murder of 27-year-old Strabane man Andrew Burns, who was shot dead by Oglaigh Na hEireann in Co Donegal two years ago.
Security sources say dissidents in Co Tyrone have been thrown into 'turmoil' after reports that Kelly has agreed to cooperate with gardai following his arrest in Donegal last week. When he appeared in court on Tuesday of last week a detective leading the murder investigation said he was "delighted" with progress made in the case.
"This investigation has been ongoing for the last two years and a dedicated team of detectives has followed almost every enquiry on the matter and we are delighted with the outcome," Garda Superintendent Vincent O'Brien told the court.
Kelly made no reply to the charges and did not apply for bail. He was charged with possession of a firearm on the night of the Burns murder. However, it is understood that gardai have not recovered the murder weapon, which is understood to have been destroyed by the killers shortly after the shooting. Kelly was one of three men arrested by the PSNI days after Mr Burns was abducted near his home and shot dead in a church car park across the border at Donnyloop village less than 30 minutes later.
A Garda spokesman last night refused to comment on reports that Kelly is cooperating with them. Last month he was among six men arrested in Co Donegal in connection with dissident activity. Kelly and two others were freed. Three others were charged with Oglaigh Na hEireann membership.
The Strabane republican would be the second person to be taken into protective custody by gardai in recent years after agreeing to give evidence against dissidents.
In November 2007 Letterkenny man Liam McGinley was taken into protective custody after passing on information to gardai about the Real IRA murder of Denis Donaldson. McGinley is reported to have identified the killers to gardai and to have passed on information which led to the recovery of a sledgehammer the Real IRA gang had used to break down the door of Donaldson's cottage in Co Donegal in April 2006 before killing him.
McGinley is understood to have agreed to cooperate after having been abducted and shot by the Real IRA in November 2007.
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