Distretto Nord

Saor Uladh, gruppo dissidente, paga i Travellers per rubare armi

Irish dissidents paying travellers to steal guns

Homes of legal owners are targeted by violent gang receiving up to £500 for a single weapon

Travellers | NomadiA new Irish republican dissident terror group is using a gang of young travellers to steal weapons from gun owners across Northern Ireland. Police are linking a recent upsurge in gun thefts to the “Saor Uladh”, the fourth dissident terrorist force to emerge from republicans disenchanted with the peace process.

Saor Uladh or Free Ulster pays up to £500 for a single gun, security sources told the Observer. The most recent raid took place in Newry this month when a 74-year-old grandfather was beaten by robbers who stole his prized shotguns.

One senior security source said: “All the raids across Northern Ireland are being carried out by members of the travelling community. Saor Uladh is paying the travellers to go and carry out the raids on gun club member’s homes after supplying them with the information on who to target over the past few months.”

So far the gang has stolen 14 weapons. “They have seven shotguns, three rifles and four handguns,” the security source said. “The handguns include .22s and a 9mm Sig Sauer handgun. They have even given the travellers the name of a serving PSNI officer living in Antrim to get their hands on his Glock pistol.”

It is understood that the gang is paid £200 for a shotgun, £150 to £200 for a rifle and £500 for a handgun.

The PSNI also understands that the gang is getting information on gun owners from an Antrim-based crime gang once linked to the Loyalist Volunteer Force. This gang, whose core are members of a former loyalist paramilitary family from the Ballysillan area of Belfast, are members of a Northern Ireland gun club.

Jimmy Campbell, 74, was beaten by two men who tied him up before stealing a number of legally held shotguns from his home in Newry, Co Down. The pensioner said they tricked him into opening the door by shouting his name and pretending one of them was injured.

“I opened the door and the hammer came down on my face,” he said. “Then he was on top of me in the hall hammering away at me.”

Travellers | NomadiCampbell’s son, Billy, said his father was a “very strong, resilient man” who tried to fight back against his attackers. “With his outdoor activities, the shooting and fishing, he keeps himself very fit,” he said.

However, the pensioner was forced to hand over the keys to his gun cabinet when the men threatened to kill him, he said.

After the attack, Campbell was able to untie himself, call the police and give a full description of the intruders.

Billy Campbell said his father was security-conscious and kept his guns in separate parts. He said: “A shotgun is in three parts and the thieves, thugs, or whatever you want to call them have stolen two out of three.

“The third part is being retained by the police, so they have guns that are useless. It just shows you the intellect of the people.”

Pagina precedente 1 2
Tags

René Querin

Di professione grafico e web designer, sono appassionato di trekking e innamorato dell'Irlanda e della sua storia. Insieme ad Andrea Varacalli ho creato e gestisco Les Enfants Terribles.

Related Articles

Close