JANE LAST AND NIALL O'CONNOR – 04 MARCH 2013 10:40 AM
SUPPORTERS of slain RIRA terror boss Alan Ryan took to the city centre last night to hold a special commemoration for him.
At least two dozen people carrying black flags, tricolours and pictures of Ryan (32), stood on O'Connell Bridge last night for a "black vigil".
The "vigil" took place on the six-month anniversary of Ryan's death. Gardai were also present at last night's event.
The vigil is the first public event held by supporters of Ryan since the controversial fundraiser in Crumlin's Submarine bar in November.
The "black vigil" was 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 that 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 number of detectives were in close proximity to last night's vigil in the city centre.
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.
Meanwhile, family members of Alan Ryan were this weekend paying tribute to their loved one on social networking sites.
