Threat Of Dissident Republican Attack Raised

The risk of attack by the groups behind NI's worst ever terrorist atrocity - the Omagh bomb - is this week ranked higher than ever.

Dissident republicans now pose a greater threat than ever and are expected to make a concerted campaign to try and prevent further political progress.

On Wednesday, the threat assessment was raised from "substantial" to "severe", meaning an attack is regarded as highly likely.

The dissident threat is thought to be high in traditional republican strongholds including south and west Belfast, Newry and Mourne, south Tyrone and Strabane.

The sources also say the dissident threat is at its highest on Fermanagh.

A PSNI spokesman said they keep their security response under constant review and "it would not be appropriate to go into details on any measures we take".

The decision to upgrade the level was made by MI5 - responsible for gathering intelligence on dissident republicans.

For a number of years now the threat posed by dissidents was "substantial", meaning attacks were regarded as a strong possibility.

While dissident groups remain relatively small and do not have a central command structure - intelligence information suggests groups in some areas are becoming much better organised and more technically sophisticated.

Their level of activity has also increased although police have prevented a large number of planned attacks in recent months.

This stepping up of the campaign is said to be as a result of the Northern Ireland Bill being debated in the House of Commons.

Westminster is currently preparing the way for devolution of policing and justice powers to the Stormont Assembly.

(BMcC/JM)