RAADical reporting? Pinch of salt required?

A pipebomb attack on a car in Strabane and the foolish heroism of a local man in dealing with the device has been widely reported. In recent coverage much of the MSM has dropped the term ‘community worker’ to describe him, he is now reported as a ‘taxi driver’ facing a death threat from a ‘criminal gang’ along with the intended target of the device (an alleged drug dealer he has no connection with, who has already left the country).

However, this all seems a bit odd as the group supposedly responsible is Republican Action Against Drugs (RAAD) and the taxi-driver being passed threats via the PSNI is the brother of Irish Republican Socialist Party, Ard Comhairle member – Willie Gallagher.

Indeed the taxi driver himself seems to have been senior enough in the Republican Socialist Movement in the past to deliver Easter Orations on their behalf.

As Willie Gallagher noted:

I would really take this ‘threat’ with a pinch of salt-there was no reference to RAAD in the written PSNI message that they delivered last night and the term used was ‘a criminal gang.’ Three other Irps from the town all got similar type messages this past few months and to be honest I don’t believe RAAD are behind any of them.

While it is claimed the initial bomb attempt was carried out by RAAD it seems unusual that the media are not reporting/investigating other issues possibly connected to this incident that could generate real problems in the Strabane area and beyond for years to come.

So are the RAAD or a ‘criminal gang’ about to start shooting people with strong connections to the RSM? Is this a dirty tricks campaign? Should we be taking these reports with the big pinch of salt Willie suggests?

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