The Republican Defence Army (RDA) is a splinter group from the Provisional Irish Republican Army that emerged in 2006.[1] The group was blamed for a handful of minor assaults and threats of violence, as well as claims the group was linked to a murder in Strabane.[2] Little is known about the group, and in 2011 it was considered defunct.[3] In March 2025, the group issued a statement claiming they were under new leadership, and prepared to carry out attacks against drug dealers.[4]
It was acknowledged by the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC) in Northern Ireland.[5] The IMC reported that the leadership of Sinn Féin have engaged in dialogue with the RDA regarding their views for peaceful progression of their campaign and Sinn Féin's strategies. The outcome of these negotiations has not been made public.
References
- ^ "Real IRA remains a 'real threat'". BBC News. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
- ^ "Dissident group linked to church yard murder". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
- ^ "Abstracts on Organisations - 'R'". Ulster University. Archived from the original on 18 January 2025. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
- ^ Reporter (18 March 2025). "New leadership of Republican group issues warning to drug dealers". www.donegallive.ie. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
- ^ "Twelfth Report of the Independent Monitoring Commission" (PDF). (912 KB)