Menu
04/11/2009
Dissident Threat Heightens
The Real and Continuity IRA are working together, with help from experienced former Provisionals, to mount attacks against Northern Ireland security personnel, a report published today has claimed.
According to the Independent Monitoring Commission, the terror threat posed by dissident republicans is at a six-year high and increased notably in the six months proceeding September.
"They [dissident republicans] pose a major challenge to the law enforcement and other agencies on both sides of the border," the body tasked with assessing paramilitary activity said.
The IMC claimed most of the groups' new recruits were "inexperienced young males".
However, support is being provided by former Provisional IRA members who have rejected the new political institutions at Stormont.
"This is not surprising following the dissolution of PIRA's structures," IMC members suggested.
The IMC said these experienced terrorists "significantly added to the threat".
Today's report addressed the period from 1 March until the end of August.
During this time the Real IRA shot dead two on-duty soldiers outside an Antrim army barracks, followed two days later by the Continuity IRA killing of a serving PSNI constable in Craigavon.
Eleven other attempts to murder police officers were orchestrated over those six months.
"The overall level of dissident activity was markedly higher than we have seen since we first met in late 2003," the report said.
"The seriousness, range and tempo of their activities all changed for the worse in these six months.
"During this period, dissident republicans were violent and showed an intent to kill if the opportunity arose."
Should their capabilities eventually stretch, the dissidents are intent on inflicting violence on mainland Britain, the IMC suggested.
NI Secretary of State Shaun Woodward said the report pointed to the devolution of policing and justice powers as a "potent intervention" to the dissident threat.
“The recently negotiated financial package underlines the government’s commitment to doing all that it can to ensure that there is a solid foundation for an incoming Department of Justice," he said.
"It has always been the case that it is for the Assembly to ask for those powers to be transferred and today’s IMC report should be hugely influential in informing an early decision."
(PR/BMcC)
According to the Independent Monitoring Commission, the terror threat posed by dissident republicans is at a six-year high and increased notably in the six months proceeding September.
"They [dissident republicans] pose a major challenge to the law enforcement and other agencies on both sides of the border," the body tasked with assessing paramilitary activity said.
The IMC claimed most of the groups' new recruits were "inexperienced young males".
However, support is being provided by former Provisional IRA members who have rejected the new political institutions at Stormont.
"This is not surprising following the dissolution of PIRA's structures," IMC members suggested.
The IMC said these experienced terrorists "significantly added to the threat".
Today's report addressed the period from 1 March until the end of August.
During this time the Real IRA shot dead two on-duty soldiers outside an Antrim army barracks, followed two days later by the Continuity IRA killing of a serving PSNI constable in Craigavon.
Eleven other attempts to murder police officers were orchestrated over those six months.
"The overall level of dissident activity was markedly higher than we have seen since we first met in late 2003," the report said.
"The seriousness, range and tempo of their activities all changed for the worse in these six months.
"During this period, dissident republicans were violent and showed an intent to kill if the opportunity arose."
Should their capabilities eventually stretch, the dissidents are intent on inflicting violence on mainland Britain, the IMC suggested.
NI Secretary of State Shaun Woodward said the report pointed to the devolution of policing and justice powers as a "potent intervention" to the dissident threat.
“The recently negotiated financial package underlines the government’s commitment to doing all that it can to ensure that there is a solid foundation for an incoming Department of Justice," he said.
"It has always been the case that it is for the Assembly to ask for those powers to be transferred and today’s IMC report should be hugely influential in informing an early decision."
(PR/BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
02 February 2006
Policing Board meeting disrupted by protestors
Republican protestors briefly disrupted the public meeting between PSNI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde and the Policing Board this afternoon. The Chief Constable was just about to deliver his assessment on the IMC report on IRA activity when around six people stood up and demanded to know where the information had come from.
Policing Board meeting disrupted by protestors
Republican protestors briefly disrupted the public meeting between PSNI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde and the Policing Board this afternoon. The Chief Constable was just about to deliver his assessment on the IMC report on IRA activity when around six people stood up and demanded to know where the information had come from.
26 May 2010
NIO Boss Underlines Dissident Threat
There remains a "very real and serious threat from dissident republicans, intent on causing death and serious injury". That's the view of the NI Secretary of State Owen Paterson who has just given his view on the 23rd Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC) report on levels of paramilitary activity.
NIO Boss Underlines Dissident Threat
There remains a "very real and serious threat from dissident republicans, intent on causing death and serious injury". That's the view of the NI Secretary of State Owen Paterson who has just given his view on the 23rd Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC) report on levels of paramilitary activity.
04 November 2010
IMC Says Dissident Threat 'Substantial'
The last-but-one Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC) report into paramilitary violence in Northern Ireland has revealed that the threat from dissident republican groups is "substantial".
IMC Says Dissident Threat 'Substantial'
The last-but-one Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC) report into paramilitary violence in Northern Ireland has revealed that the threat from dissident republican groups is "substantial".
23 November 2012
Men Released In David Black Investigation
The two men arrested by police investigating the murder of prison officer David Black have been released unconditionally. The men, aged 34 and 42, were arrested in Coalisland, County Tyrone on Wednesday morning. Mr Black was shot as he drove to work on the M1 in County Armagh on 1 November.
Men Released In David Black Investigation
The two men arrested by police investigating the murder of prison officer David Black have been released unconditionally. The men, aged 34 and 42, were arrested in Coalisland, County Tyrone on Wednesday morning. Mr Black was shot as he drove to work on the M1 in County Armagh on 1 November.
08 March 2006
IMC assesses IRA as 'no terrorist threat'
A report by the IMC on the security normalisation programme has said that the Provisional IRA has taken a strategic decision to follow a political path and does not represent a terrorist threat. The report concluded: "We believe that PIRA has taken a strategic decision to follow a political path.
IMC assesses IRA as 'no terrorist threat'
A report by the IMC on the security normalisation programme has said that the Provisional IRA has taken a strategic decision to follow a political path and does not represent a terrorist threat. The report concluded: "We believe that PIRA has taken a strategic decision to follow a political path.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
