An increasing number of younger members of the 'Real IRA' are attracted by money rather than ideology, writes Conor Lally.
Gardaí have warned that the young ages of the "Real IRA" suspects involved in yesterday's arson attack in Cork - they were aged 19 to 22 - shows the dissident terrorist group is continuing to recruit and grow at a rapid rate.
The group now boasts strongholds in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Kerry and Louth, and in Armagh and Down in the North. Most individual cells are well-organised with a clear command structure.
One Derry-based republican is currently working to bring about more co-operation between cells across the country. He has already ensured much closer links between two cells in Louth and one in Derry. It was this grouping of cells that the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, was referring to when he told the Dáil the "Real IRA" was planning another Omagh-style atrocity.
The "Real IRA" has been dogged by infighting and splintering since it emerged in 1997 after the Provisional IRA ceasefire. Initially, it numbered around 50 members but it more than doubled within 12 months. Gardaí estimate that it has several hundred active members.
Its leader, Michael McKevitt, was jailed for 20 years last August for directing terrorism and membership of an illegal organisation. Dozens of other suspected members are awaiting trial on membership of an illegal organisation or firearms charges.
In many parts of the country, the "Real IRA" is dominated by a relatively small number of extended families. As their children become teenagers, they are introduced to the organisation. The families also recruit among their close friends and associates.
"Real IRA" members constantly monitor republican organisations, scouting for young people with suitable political views. According to one Garda source, an increasing number of younger members are attracted by the money they can make from "Real IRA" membership rather than by any ideology.
The same source likened some "Real IRA" cells to the Russian mafia. "You have groups who are involved in extortion, smuggling and operations where expensive cars are stolen, replated and sold on. The so-called cause is less important - a lot of them see the money that can be made and they see being in the organisation as a very effective and protected way of making that money."
Many drug dealers are permitted by the "Real IRA" to sell drugs as long as the organisation gets a share of the profits. That share is often as high as 30 per cent. Other cells are involved in massive cigarette smuggling operations.
Cigarettes are smuggled into the State, mostly from Spain, via Dublin Port. They are then sold on in the North and in markets in the South. Last December, gardaí intercepted €1 million-worth of cigarettes in the Border area which had been concealed in rolls of carpet.
However, while income is constantly being generated through criminal activity, the "Real IRA" is not as professional as the Provisional IRA. "Real IRA" members are said to be less covert, with members more prone to "loose talk". Garda surveillance has managed to exploit this weakness in recent years. Gardaí have uncovered gun-running between the Republic and parts of France and Slovakia. They have also uncovered significant stores of hidden arms in the Republic, which have included firearms and full mortars.