They were arrested after meetings of the group’s “Army Council”, organized by double agent Dennis McFadden and secretly recorded by the security services.

McFadden had infiltrated the New IRA since its inception in 2012, and was a long-term MI5 factory at the heart of the gang.

But when government leaders demanded an urgent and devastating response to Ms McKee’s murder in April 2019, the decision was made to break McFadden’s cover.

In a crippling move, nine suspected New IRA leaders were arrested in August 2020 after attending meetings organized by the spy.

Security sources told Sunday Life that this, and the indictment of more than a dozen Derry-based dissidents with terrorist offenses, was in fact “retribution” for Ms McKee’s death.

A high-level source told this newspaper: “Operation Arbacia was accelerated after the murder of Lyra McKee. His death demanded results from us and that is why in just over a year MI5 went public with McFadden.

While “Operation Arbacia” targeted new IRA figures from across Northern Ireland, it was the Derry “brigade” of the terrorist gang that received particular attention for the PSNI Terrorism Investigation Unit (TIU) and Major Investigation Team (MIT).

In the two years since Ms McKee’s murder, 14 of her alleged members now face criminal charges ranging from murder to bomb plots and riots.

Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy, who is leading the investigation into the journalist’s murder, said: “The murder of Lyra McKee in 2019 was a turning point for the New IRA in Derry. This has rightly resulted in local, national and international condemnation of brutal and senseless terrorism, not only in Creggan or Derry, but across Northern Ireland.

“Thanks to our hard work, the patience and the support of the communities in Derry, we have disrupted the New ARI on every level since Lyra was killed, but our job is not finished.”

It was an armed New IRA teenager who shot Ms. McKee as she watched a dissident riot in Creggan’s estate in the town. The Belfast-born writer was hit by a single bullet in the head from a low caliber pistol while standing next to police lines. In the days following his funeral, in the presence of the British and Irish Prime Ministers, a decision was taken at the highest level of government to dismantle the new IRA, in particular the organizational structures in Derry.

It was then, and still is, Northern Ireland’s most active and violent dissident gang, carrying out multiple attempted murders and more than 30 punitive shootings over the past five years. But according to sources in the city, he is now on his knees with more than a dozen suspected members and associates facing criminal charges.

Those in court accused of New ARI activity include:

?? Paul McIntyre (53), Jordan Devine (21) and Peter Cavanagh (33), who are charged with the murder of Lyra McKee;

?? Christopher Gillen (41), Joseph Campbell (20), Jude McCrory (24) and Paddy Gallagher (29), who are accused of organizing riots the night the journalist was killed;

?? Niall Sheerin (29) who is charged with possession of the Hammerli pistol used to shoot Ms. McKee;

?? Kieran McCool (52) charged with manufacturing bombs;

?? Gary ‘Musky’ Hayden (49), Patrick McDaid (50) and Joe Barr (33), who are accused of leading terrorism;

?? Thomas Mellon (45) and William McDonnell (34), accused of violating anti-terrorism notifications:

In a separate case, two young dissident Republicans from Derry, Jude McCrory (24) and Emmett McSheffrey (22), face charges related to unrest outside Maghaberry Prison when a protest in favor inmates of the New IRA turned violent.

Security sources are adamant that while the New IRA’s Derry unit remains dangerous, it has been severely depleted.

“He is indeed on his knees,” explained an insider. “The city’s new IRA has around 30 members, but police pressure means it has struggled to function for some time.

“He tried to do numbers by recruiting teenagers into a flute band, but these kids are only good for riots and nothing else really.

“Because the new Derry (city) IRA is in such a bad state, it has tried to move into areas like Dungiven, where a firebomb was left next to a policewoman’s car earlier this year. . “

The large number of Derry-based dissident Republicans facing serious criminal charges has also led to internal dissatisfaction with the leadership of the new IRA in the city. The gang leader is Thomas Mellon and his closest lieutenants are Fergal Melaugh and Kieran McCool.

The decision to keep the Hammerli pistol used to kill Lyra McKee also raised concerns among members of the New IRA. He was later recovered by the police, which led to Niall Sheerin being charged with his possession. Dissident Republicans have openly complained that he “should have been dumped in the River Foyle”.

A commemorative event to be held next weekend to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the hunger strikes is seen as a rallying call for the Derry unity of the new IRA.

Organized by Saoradh, the political wing of the terrorist gang, it is due to take place in Bellaghy on October 2. The village of South Derry was specifically chosen as it was home to Provisional IRA hunger strikers Francis Hughes and Thomas McElwee.

Dissident Republicans will be transported by bus from across Ireland to swell the crowds, with the PSNI closely monitoring those traveling from the city of Derry.

Sunday Life understands that the surveillance operation will involve police drones filming what senior police see as a “major recruiting event” designed to “boost morale.”

PSNI sources say that using technology like this – which would be out of place in any normal society – is what the new ARI aspires to.

Referring to the murder of Lyra McKee by the dissident gang, DS Murphy added, “It is important to note that Lyra’s murder has reminded communities of the control that a small number of individuals seek to exercise over them.

“Through its actions that night, the new ARI caused unimaginable devastation, but it also inadvertently placed itself in the limelight of the community it claims to represent – a community that is experimenting with a style of policing that is necessary because of the risks posed by the foolish few who encourage them.

“As police work with communities to build the necessary trust, the new IRA remains committed to demanding the continued presence of Land Rovers and armed officers within communities who deserve to see conventional policing that reflects a relationship and a positive future. “