'Dissidents' Threaten Both Police And SF

Following two murder attempts on off duty PSNI officers inside the last week alone, so-called 'dissident' republicans have now underlined their threat with a promise of new attacks on police officers in Northern Ireland - and reinforced an existing threat on Sinn Fein over policing matters.

The previously unknown Irish Republican Liberation Army claimed it shot an officer who was ambushed in Dungannon, Co Tyrone earlier this week.

The injured officer, Paul Musgrave, was shot in the shoulder. He is said to be in a stable condition. He had just left work on Monday when his vehicle, believed to be a 4x4, was targeted close to a Catholic church in the town.

Mr Musgrave, who is in his 30s, was able to drive to safety in the nearby Dungannon police station and was then taken by ambulance to Craigavon Area Hospital.

Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde said his officers will not be deterred from carrying out their duties. Those behind the attack had taken cowardice to new levels, he claimed.

Sir Hugh said: "This will not deter police officers going about their day-to-day duties of protecting communities in Northern Ireland. "We will continue to carry out our duties as fairly and properly as we can.

"It makes it all the more impressive, what has been achieved by the PSNI over the last five years.

"They have pushed edges continually. If a small number of disenfranchised people, who have been clearly rejected by their community as stated by every political leader wish to continue, we will pursue them to the ends of the earth."

This latest incident followed one last week in Londonderry when an off-duty officer was shot and critically wounded outside his son's school.

And while a man and woman have been arrested and questioned about the shooting in Dungannon, this latest threat is a significant development.

A statement by the IRLA said: "There is now a central command within our organisation. More shootings will follow. We again reiterate our threat to Sinn Feiners in north Belfast. We again demand they resign from local DPPs."

The five Sinn Fein councillors were threatened last month because of the party's support for the District Policing Partnerships, (DPP).

Police visited Glengormley councillor Briege Meehan (now widowed, after her leading republican husband, Martin Meehan died suddenly) and four north Belfast councillors to warn them that dissident republicans claimed they would kill the SF councillors if they do not publicly withdraw their support for the DPPs.

At the time, Sinn Fein policing spokesman Alex Maskey, who is himself a member of the NI Policing Board, said it was unacceptable that anyone purporting to be republican should threaten other republicans.

He said: "I would encourage those republicans referred to as dissidents to get behind the process and help to advance our republican objectives in a democratic and peaceful manner."

It is understood the four north Belfast councillors are Danny Lavery, Conor Maskey, Margaret McLenaghan and Tierna Cunningham.

The NIO Security Minister Jane Kennedy also described the threats as intolerable and called on the community to support those participating in the new policing arrangements.

Also last month, she said: "The actions of those who threaten and intimidate members of District Policing Partnerships in this way are utterly abhorrent.

"I am greatly encouraged by the progress that has been made by District Policing Partnerships across Northern Ireland. They have already shown the very positive contribution that local involvement in policing can make."

(BMcC)