The Florida Four refers to four people, Anthony Smyth, Conor Claxton, Martin Mullan and Siobhan Browne who were arrested for running guns from the United States to the Republic of Ireland for eventual use in Northern Ireland by the Provisional Irish Republican Army. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Ireland ( Irish: Éire, ˈeːrʲə is a country in north-western Europe. Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of The Provisional Irish Republican Army (Óglaigh na hÉireann ( IRA; also referred to as the PIRA, the Provos, or by some of its supporters as the
The operation was first uncovered in 1999 and the group were convicted in 2000[1]
The group was able to send about a 100 handguns, rifles and shotguns, as well as armour-piercing ammunition. The weapons were mailed from Fort Lauderdale in packages containing toys and electronics. Fort Lauderdale, known as the "Venice of America" due to its expansive and intricate Canal system is a city in Broward County, Florida, [2]
Browne later said that Claxton "spent more than US$100,000 off the books on semi- and fully automatic weapons".
In August 1999, the IRA, through the Irish republican newspaper An Phoblacht, denied sanctioning the plot. An Phoblacht ( Irish for "The Republic" is the official Newspaper of Sinn Féin [3] This contradicts Conor Claxton's testimony that he was sent to Florida by a senior IRA official and that they needed higher approval to complete the arms mission. [4]
References
- ^ "Four face 'IRA smuggling' charges", BBC News, 2002-11-20. See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 284 - Diocletian was chosen as Roman Emperor. 762 - Bögü Khan of the Uyghurs, Accessed 2007-10-05. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 869 - The Fourth Council of Constantinople is convened to decide about what to do about Patriarch Photius of Constantinople
- ^ "Six Held in N.Ireland Over IRA Florida Gun Case", Reuters. This article is primarily about Reuters prior to its 2008 merger with Thomson Accessed 2007-10-05. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 869 - The Fourth Council of Constantinople is convened to decide about what to do about Patriarch Photius of Constantinople
- ^ Wilson, Jamie. "IRA denies sanctioning US gun plot",The Guardian, 1999-08-07. The Guardian (until 1959 The Manchester Guardian) is a British Newspaper owned by the Guardian Media Group. Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) Events 322 BC - Battle of Crannon between Athens and Macedon following the death of Alexander the Great. Accessed 2007-10-05. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 869 - The Fourth Council of Constantinople is convened to decide about what to do about Patriarch Photius of Constantinople
- ^ "Lies catch up with Teflon leaders", NewsHound. Accessed 2007-10-05
External links
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