GARDAI will mount a significant presence in the city centre tomorrow as associates of murdered Real IRA boss Alan Ryan turn out to mourn his death.
Dissidents are organising a "black vigil" on O'Connell Bridge – exactly six months after the 32-year-old gangster was shot dead.
Detectives are planning to keep a close eye on the event – which is expected to attract associates of the terror boss.
The vigil will mark the first public event held by Ryan's associates since the controversial fundraiser in Crumlin's Submarine Bar in November.
outcry
And it is also being held amid major turmoil in the Real IRA – as Northern bosses continue in their efforts to "weed out" members who have fallen foul of the organisation.
The Herald revealed in January how four high-level men were sent to the capital from the North after bosses ordered an "intense clean-up" of how the organisation operates.
A source explained: "When there is an Alan Ryan event taking place, you just can't take anything for granted given the type of criminal he was."
Sources also pointed to the public and political outcry following the volley of shots fired above Ryan's coffin at his paramilitary funeral in Donaghmede on September 9.
Gardai were strongly criticised for failing to intervene when dissidents dressed in black berets and military clothing fired shots into the air in broad daylight.
TROUBLE
"There will be a close watch paid to this event on Sunday.
"Gardai are aware of it and will be prepared for any trouble," a source told the Herald.
Meanwhile, family members of Alan Ryan were this weekend paying tribute to their loved one on social networking sites.
The criminal's brother, Dermot Ryan – who was previously arrested by detectives investigating dissident activity – described Alan as "honest, courteous, courageous and disciplined".
"You never took a penny that was not yours to keep.
"You stood brave and tall, when your country and community called," Dermot Ryan wrote.
"They tried to break you in a living hell, you refused to be broken and would not be broken.
"You were murdered in cold blood by the criminals of the State with exactly €37 to your name and wallet.
extortion
"You were and are an inspiration to all true republicans out there and as a human being.
"You were as straight as they come, you would not be turned," he added.
Ryan was shot dead on September 3 while walking on Grange Lodge Avenue, Clongriffin, north Dublin.
He was in the company of an associate when he was shot just yards from his home.
The 32-year-old's Real IRA faction was involved in extortion and intimidation of drug dealers and racketeering against pub and club owners.
