According to the attached 31 January 1996 Daily Telegraph article, Gino Gallagher, "the alleged leader" of the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA), was shot dead in Belfast on 30 January 1996 as he signed on for unemployment benefit. ... Mr. Gallagher ... was ambushed by a lone gunman who was waiting for him inside a social security office off the Falls Road. He was hit several times in the head and body.
The article adds that "there were suggestions ... that Gallagher had taken over as chief-of-staff of the INLA a few months ago" (ibid.).

A 3 February 1996 Irish Times article states that "a man was being questioned by the RUC [police] last night in connection with Tuesday's killing in Belfast of the INLA chief of staff, Gino Gallagher." The article adds that

at least one other man arrested in connection with the killing has since been released without charge. The man in custody is said to be connected to an INLA faction which was in dispute with Mr. Gallagher (ibid.).

While providing information on the assassination of Gino Gallagher, the following articles refer to different groups as possible forces behind the assassination. According to The Irish Times,

no group has claimed responsibility for the killing, but there is speculation that the IRA, elements of British intelligence or disgruntled former INLA members could have been involved (31 Jan. 1996).

Referring to a police claim that contends Gallagher was the victim of an internal INLA feud, Evening Standard reports that the INLA "denied there were any splits and blamed the assassination on outside Republican elements" (2 Feb. 1996).

The Des Moines Register maintains that

no one has claimed responsibility for the killing, widely suspected to be the work of rivals in Gallagher's outlawed Irish National Liberation Army. A splinter group of the Irish Republican Army and an opponent of the IRA ceasfire, the group has a history of violent internal feuds (2 Feb. 1996).

A 30 January 1996 Reuters report refers to unspecified leaders of the Irish Republican Socialist Party, the INLA's political wing, who said that the assassination of Gallagher was "political and suited several anti-left wing groups, including British intelligence." The party denied the claim that the assassination was a result of an internal feud (ibid.).

According to The Irish Times, the IRA has denied any involvement in the assassination (3 Feb. 1996).

The attached Daily Telegraph (3 Feb. 1996), Gazette (2 Feb. 1996) and Irish Times (3 Feb. 1996) articles provide information on the funeral of Gino Gallagher.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

The Daily Telegraph [London]. 31 January 1996. Richard Savill. "INLA Chief Is Shot Dead in Dole Office." (NEXISx)

The Des Moines Register. 2 February 1996. "Mourners, Police Clash after Funeral; The Leader of an Outlawed Irish Paramilitary Group was Gunned Down, Fueling Already High Tensions." (NEXIS)

Evening Standard [London]. 2 February 1996. "New Bid to Halt Funeral." (NEXIS)

The Irish Times [Belfast]. 3 February 1996. City Edition. Gerry Moriarty. "Man Questioned on INLA Chief's Killing." (NEXIS)

_____. 31 January 1996. City Edition. Suzanne Breen. "INLA Pledges to Exact Revenge after the Murder of its Leader." (NEXIS)

Reuters. 30 January 1996. BC Cycle. Martin Cowley. "Top Irish Guerrilla Shot, Allies say no Feud." (NEXIS)

The Daily Telegraph [London]. 3 February 1996. Richard Savill and Philip Johnston. "IRA Blamed as Shooting Breaks Truce Outrage at Attack on RUC Couple." (NEXIS)

_____. 31 January 1996. Richard Savill. "INLA Chief Is Shot Dead in Dole Office." (NEXIS)

The Des Moines Register. 2 February 1996. "Mourners, Police Clash after Funeral; The Leader of an Outlawed Irish Paramilitary Group was Gunned Down, Fueling Already High Tensions." (NEXIS)

The Gazette [Montreal]. 2 February 1996. Final Edition. "Clash Postpones Burial." (NEXIS)

The Evening Standard [London]. 2 February 1996. "New Bid to Halt Funeral." (NEXIS)

The Irish Times [Belfast]. 3 February 1996. City Edition. Suzanne Breen. "Gallagher is Buried with Military Regalia." (NEXIS)

_____. 3 February 1996. City Edition. Gerry Moriarty. "Man Questioned on INLA Chief's Killing." (NEXIS)

_____. 31 January 1996. City Edition. Suzanne Breen. "INLA Pledges to Exact Revenge after the Murder of its Leader." (NEXIS)

Reuters. 30 January 1996. BC Cycle. Martin Cowley. "Top Irish Guerrilla Shot, Allies say no Feud." (NEXIS)