ONH claim arson attack on depot
A dissident republican group has leafleted homes in Ardoyne this week warning a local business owner to ‘stay out of Ireland’ and claiming responsibility for a recent arson attack on his taxi firm.
Confusion had reigned over who was behind the arson attack on Tony Morgan’s AM Cabs Oldpark Road depot last Monday (February 7) when both Óglaigh na hÉireann (ONH) and the INLA became involved in the aftermath.
However in the leaflet distributed in the area this week, ONH claimed responsibility for the attack and warned Mr Morgan – who was believed to be on holiday – to stay out of Ireland or he would be made ‘accountable’.
Their move comes after umbrella group, Republican Network for Unity voted to send “comradely greetings to Óglaigh Na hÉireann”, but denied they were now the dissident group’s political wing.
The leaflet makes a number of allegations against Mr Morgan and his business partner, including repeating the allegation the business was a cover for the distribution of drugs, a claim Mr Morgan strenuously denied to this newspaper last week.
The leaflet goes on to say: “Having said that, we must make it very clear that not all drivers are involved in this criminal enterprise. To those hard-working drivers, ONH apologise for any hardship they may have endured as a result of this necessary action!”
The letter goes on to make allegations against the two men and says: “Tony Morgan runs to local politicians and newspapers in an attempt to give himself the veneer of respectability”.
The letter then warns him to stay out of Ireland and gives his partner 48 hours to leave Ireland or “ONH will make him accountable also”.
North Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly condemned the leaflet and said if RNU are now officially linked with ONH they need to publically explain their actions.
“The letter is a further attempt by micro groups to cover up their transparent attempts at extortion of a local business,” he said.
“We welcome the news that finally RNU will be putting themselves forward to answer all the community’s hard questions in public. Particularly in North Belfast where they are involved in so much anti community activity.”
Numerous attempts to contact a spokesperson of Republican Network for Unity this week were unsuccessful.
