Dissident republican group, the Real IRA, have warned what they describe as a Derry based 'drug gang' that they have seven days to 'forward themselves to the republican movement or face execution on sight.'
The chilling warning came in a claim of responsibility for last week’s shooting of a Derry man, Declan Gallagher, in Donegal.
Stating that Mr. Gallagher has ‘24 hours to leave the country’ the dissident group stated: “If he refuses volunteers wil
l be instructed to execute this man on sight.”
The dissident group made serious allegations against Mr. Gallagher stating that he was the leader of ‘an organised gang importing hard drugs into Derry City on behalf of loyalist drug lords.”
The statement added: “Oglaigh Na hEireann has smashed this gang and sends a clear and decisive warning to others who operate in the knowledge that they could be next. They added ‘we reiterate the seriousness of this threat.’
The statement concluded: “Oglaigh Na hEireann has shown that it is committed to eradicating drug gangs in this city, we are now armed and well organised.”
Declan Gallagher was wounded last week in a shooting near St. Johnston. A female passenger in the car with him at the time was briefly abducted and released a short time later. The Gardai said after the shooting that they were still investigating a motive for the attack.
This is the latest claim from the Real IRA accusing a shooting victim of being involved in drugs. Earlier this year they claimed responsibility for the shooting of a man in Creggan and he too was warned to leave the city.
