NCJ Number
143110
Journal
Police Journal Volume: 66 Issue: 2 Dated: (April-June 1993) Pages: 127-135
Date Published
1993
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This article presents a history of tactics used by terrorist groups in Northern Ireland (both Protestant and Roman Catholic) to fund their organizations by reaping profits from front businesses; tactics used by the Royal Ulster Constabulary to counter these terrorist fundraising strategies are also described.
Abstract
Drinking clubs or shebeens have been used to provide a lucrative source of income for terrorist groups in both Protestant and Roman Catholic communities. The alcohol sold in these early clubs was largely stolen in terrorist holdups of delivery trucks. Other stolen goods have also been marketed through legitimate channels. Terrorist groups not only control theft operations but also the distribution channels for the stolen goods. Goods are usually sold for 5- 10 percent of the retail price, thus providing profits for the terrorist groups and a useful service for their communities. Terrorist groups have also used taxi firms to raise funds, since rioting and orchestrated sabotage have restricted the bus services in Northern Ireland. In the early 1980's terrorist groups in both communities began to establish security companies as an additional means of employing their members and providing money for terrorist operations. The Royal Ulster Constabulary established C.13, the anti-racketeering squad, to counter these fundraising strategies. This has led to an increase in surveillance against terrorists involved in racketeering and thus to a weakening of funding for terrorist activities. 28 footnotes