Dissidents in '˜talks' on new anti-agreement party

Paul Duffy, brother of well known republican Colin Duffy, said work was underway to avoid ‘the inherent failures of past structures’.

And it has emerged that talks aimed at forming a new anti-agreement republican party are taking place.

A Co Tyrone ex-prisoner, David Jordan, said at an Easter commemoration in Coalisland in March that a “political vehicle” would be established.

The event had been organised by the National Republican Commemoration Committee which is affiliated to republican inmates held on the Roe Four landing at Maghaberry Prison.

Paul Duffy has since said behind-the-scenes talks are continuing.

He was speaking at a commemoration for United Irishman Theobald Wolfe Tone at Bodenstown in Co Kildare this month.

“Since Easter republicans across Ireland have been engaged in a wide-ranging, proactive process of debate and discussion,” he said.

“The work of building an energetic movement that has sought a grassroots-up approach aimed at avoiding the inherent failures of past structures and strategy has begun in earnest.”

He added that Britain’s decision to leave the EU had handed republicans “a unique opportunity”.

Paul Duffy and his brother Colin are widely considered to be dissident republicans.