Menu
13/08/2008
Republican Dissidents 'Rounded-Up', But Deadly Threat Remains
Around 40 dissident republican activists have been arrested by the PSNI this year to date.
The news emerged as PSNI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde made clear the dangers that remain from IRA breakaway groups.
Northern Ireland's top policeman has said he believes dissident republican terrorists are out to shoot or otherwise kill his officers in the Province - even if it means taking innocent civilians with them.
In an interview with the Belfast Telegraph, he said that dissident republicans are currently at the "top end of activity" and are trying to recruit "young disenfranchised people" to help swell their relatively meagre ranks.
Underlining their deadly intentions, he said: "All the indications are they want to kill police.
"There is no intelligence at all to suggest they want to currently kill anyone other than police.
"If innocent ordinary people get in the way they would have no issue, they don't care, it's just not what their tactics are. The notion they've got any moral position is non existent."
Sir Hugh's comments follow a spate of attacks on police officers from dissidents within the past year.
In separate incidents last November two police officers were shot and wounded in gun attacks in Dungannon and Londonderry.
Dissidents also admitted responsibility for an attempted bomb attack on a police patrol in Co Fermanagh in June, while in May an off-duty officer was injured in a booby-trap car explosion as he travelled to work in Co Tyrone.
However, Sir Hugh said that police had a "reasonable grip" on the terrorists and had counted a number of recent successes against them.
"They are badly disrupted by our activity, over 40 arrested this year on various operations," he confirmed.
(BMcC)
The news emerged as PSNI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde made clear the dangers that remain from IRA breakaway groups.
Northern Ireland's top policeman has said he believes dissident republican terrorists are out to shoot or otherwise kill his officers in the Province - even if it means taking innocent civilians with them.
In an interview with the Belfast Telegraph, he said that dissident republicans are currently at the "top end of activity" and are trying to recruit "young disenfranchised people" to help swell their relatively meagre ranks.
Underlining their deadly intentions, he said: "All the indications are they want to kill police.
"There is no intelligence at all to suggest they want to currently kill anyone other than police.
"If innocent ordinary people get in the way they would have no issue, they don't care, it's just not what their tactics are. The notion they've got any moral position is non existent."
Sir Hugh's comments follow a spate of attacks on police officers from dissidents within the past year.
In separate incidents last November two police officers were shot and wounded in gun attacks in Dungannon and Londonderry.
Dissidents also admitted responsibility for an attempted bomb attack on a police patrol in Co Fermanagh in June, while in May an off-duty officer was injured in a booby-trap car explosion as he travelled to work in Co Tyrone.
However, Sir Hugh said that police had a "reasonable grip" on the terrorists and had counted a number of recent successes against them.
"They are badly disrupted by our activity, over 40 arrested this year on various operations," he confirmed.
(BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
23 June 2016
Police Officers Disciplined For Failing To Tell Doctor About Woman's Head Injuries
Two police officers have been disciplined after they failed to let their colleagues and a police doctor know that a woman had sustained a head injury, a Police Ombudsman investigation has concluded. The woman died from bleeding to the brain on 24 February 2014, the day after she suffered the injury.
Police Officers Disciplined For Failing To Tell Doctor About Woman's Head Injuries
Two police officers have been disciplined after they failed to let their colleagues and a police doctor know that a woman had sustained a head injury, a Police Ombudsman investigation has concluded. The woman died from bleeding to the brain on 24 February 2014, the day after she suffered the injury.
24 January 2007
Police Ombudsman to brief board on report
The Policing Board are to be briefed by Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan this afternoon. The meeting is expected to be tense and the PSNI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde is expected to attend the meeting. Mrs O'Loan's report has come under fire from the retired police officer's association.
Police Ombudsman to brief board on report
The Policing Board are to be briefed by Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan this afternoon. The meeting is expected to be tense and the PSNI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde is expected to attend the meeting. Mrs O'Loan's report has come under fire from the retired police officer's association.
02 April 2002
Trimble praises work of Northern Ireland Police Fund
Northern Ireland First Minister David Trimble has paid a visit to the offices of the Northern Ireland Police Fund which was set up to provide support for disabled police officers as well as for the families of murdered police officers.
Trimble praises work of Northern Ireland Police Fund
Northern Ireland First Minister David Trimble has paid a visit to the offices of the Northern Ireland Police Fund which was set up to provide support for disabled police officers as well as for the families of murdered police officers.
08 November 2007
Orde Tipped For Top Met Post
As the pressure on London’s Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair builds up to resign, Sir Hugh Orde, who has been the PSNI’s chief constable since 2002, continues to be a front-runner to take over the post if Sir Ian does go.
Orde Tipped For Top Met Post
As the pressure on London’s Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair builds up to resign, Sir Hugh Orde, who has been the PSNI’s chief constable since 2002, continues to be a front-runner to take over the post if Sir Ian does go.
06 February 2008
PSNI To Bring Back Checkpoints
The PSNI has announced a stepping up of its operations in response to an increased level of threat by dissident republicans. The police initiative comes just days after a member of republican splinter group, the Real IRA, told an Irish newspaper they were planning a new wave of attacks on police and local businesses.
PSNI To Bring Back Checkpoints
The PSNI has announced a stepping up of its operations in response to an increased level of threat by dissident republicans. The police initiative comes just days after a member of republican splinter group, the Real IRA, told an Irish newspaper they were planning a new wave of attacks on police and local businesses.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A cloudy day with a little light rain or drizzle at times, but some spells of drier weather too. The north coast may become somewhat brighter later this afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Cloudy and patchy light rain will slowly clear away this evening. Then the rest of the night will be dry with broken cloud. Westerly winds freshening in the early hours. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
