Menu
28/07/2008
Republican Threat Level 'Higher Than Any Other'
The threat to the UK from 'dissident' Irish republicans is greater than from any other terrorist group.
According to the latest intelligence service surveillance from MI5, organisations such as the Real IRA and the Continuity IRA currently pose a greater danger than even Islamic extremists.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde has said the threat from republicans opposed to the peace process is the highest at any time this decade.
NI Executive Junior Minister, Jeffrey Donaldson, said: "This information comes as no surprise to me as I'm aware of the very high level of activity that there is at the minute from dissident republicans.
"This activity is targeted at members of the security forces and prison services and the threat level is very high at the moment."
He was speaking on foot of news that more than 60% of all electronic information intercepted through wiretaps and other covert operations related to dissident republicans.
These same dissidents have claimed responsibility for murder bids on five police officers in Northern Ireland since November.
They said the Real IRA and Continuity IRA's short-term goal is to kill a Catholic police officer in the hope of deterring young Catholics and nationalists from joining the PSNI.
Dissident republican groups were formed after mainstream paramilitary organisations such as the IRA declared ceasefires in the mid 1990s.
Since then they have been involved in sporadic campaigns of violence, most notoriously in 1998 when a Real IRA bomb attack claimed the lives of 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins, in Omagh, Co Tyrone.
See: PSNI To Bring Back Checkpoints
(BMcC)
According to the latest intelligence service surveillance from MI5, organisations such as the Real IRA and the Continuity IRA currently pose a greater danger than even Islamic extremists.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde has said the threat from republicans opposed to the peace process is the highest at any time this decade.
NI Executive Junior Minister, Jeffrey Donaldson, said: "This information comes as no surprise to me as I'm aware of the very high level of activity that there is at the minute from dissident republicans.
"This activity is targeted at members of the security forces and prison services and the threat level is very high at the moment."
He was speaking on foot of news that more than 60% of all electronic information intercepted through wiretaps and other covert operations related to dissident republicans.
These same dissidents have claimed responsibility for murder bids on five police officers in Northern Ireland since November.
They said the Real IRA and Continuity IRA's short-term goal is to kill a Catholic police officer in the hope of deterring young Catholics and nationalists from joining the PSNI.
Dissident republican groups were formed after mainstream paramilitary organisations such as the IRA declared ceasefires in the mid 1990s.
Since then they have been involved in sporadic campaigns of violence, most notoriously in 1998 when a Real IRA bomb attack claimed the lives of 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins, in Omagh, Co Tyrone.
See: PSNI To Bring Back Checkpoints
(BMcC)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
28 April 2011
MP Demands Cameron Tackles RIRA
The DUP's Strangford MP Jim Shannon has called on the Prime Minister David Cameron to ensure that there is a strong response to dissident terrorists who issued threats in Londonderry over the Easter Period. Mr Shannon made the call during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons.
MP Demands Cameron Tackles RIRA
The DUP's Strangford MP Jim Shannon has called on the Prime Minister David Cameron to ensure that there is a strong response to dissident terrorists who issued threats in Londonderry over the Easter Period. Mr Shannon made the call during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons.
07 July 2011
Omagh Bomb Case Judge Refuses Real IRA Leader's Appeal
An attempt to overthrown a landmark civil court ruling - which held Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt liable for the 1998 Omagh bombing - has been thrown out of court. Today, he lost his appeal in Belfast as the court upheld the 2009 ruling against both McKevitt and a second accused, Liam Campbell.
Omagh Bomb Case Judge Refuses Real IRA Leader's Appeal
An attempt to overthrown a landmark civil court ruling - which held Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt liable for the 1998 Omagh bombing - has been thrown out of court. Today, he lost his appeal in Belfast as the court upheld the 2009 ruling against both McKevitt and a second accused, Liam Campbell.
16 May 2011
Central London Reopens After Bomb Threat
Following a bomb warning by dissidents republicans, the area around Buckingham Palace has now been re-opened. Scotland Yard reported the telephone threat was made using a recognised code word but was not specific with regard to either location or time. Around 4.20am an officer spotted “something suspicious”.
Central London Reopens After Bomb Threat
Following a bomb warning by dissidents republicans, the area around Buckingham Palace has now been re-opened. Scotland Yard reported the telephone threat was made using a recognised code word but was not specific with regard to either location or time. Around 4.20am an officer spotted “something suspicious”.
09 March 2009
PM Visits Real IRA Murder Scene
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has visited the Antrim army barracks where two personnel were brutally gunned down by dissident republicans at the weekend.
PM Visits Real IRA Murder Scene
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has visited the Antrim army barracks where two personnel were brutally gunned down by dissident republicans at the weekend.
01 September 2009
Libya Hints At Gun-Running Compensation
Long-awaited recognition of Tripoli's involvement in IRA terrorism has moved a step closer.
Libya Hints At Gun-Running Compensation
Long-awaited recognition of Tripoli's involvement in IRA terrorism has moved a step closer.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Very windy with persistent and occasionally heavy rain at first, becoming drier with the wind easing towards midday. Mainly dry with bright spells increasing during the afternoon. Milder than of late. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with clear spells, mainly dry evening becoming windy with rain at times from late evening. Turning drier with clear spells towards morning. Milder than of late. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
