14/01/2009

Dissidents Intent On 'Atrocity', Says Gardaí Boss

The lingering threat from dissident republicans in Northern Ireland should not be underestimated, according Ireland's top police chief.

Gardaí Commissioner Fachtna Murphy (pictured) said terrorists remained intent on carrying out, what they see as, a meaningful atrocity in the province.

Mr Murphy warned that the dissidents must be tackled, despite their capabilities still remaining 'questionable'.

He told the Irish Times yesterday that the threat against PSNI officers remains high.

"Everybody knows their intentions are still to carry out acts of violence in Northern Ireland, particularly against the PSNI," said the Commissioner.

"Over the past 12 to 18 months a number of events have taken place that are a cause of concern for both the PSNI and An Gardaí Síochána.

"While their capability is still somewhat questionable, and I wouldn't like to underestimate it, their intentions, it would seem to me, are still quite focused in carrying out some meaningful, in their view, atrocity in Northern Ireland," he warned.

Dissidents have carried out several assassination attempts on police officers in the last 18 months, all of which have failed.

A booby-trap bomb exploded under one young constables car in Castlederg, last year, leaving him with serious leg injuries.

Police have also been lured into a number of suspected ambushes, following hoax calls.

Explosives, planted close to a Roslea bridge, detonated shortly after officers were called to the scene. Both constables managed to escaped unhurt.

Violent incident which erupted in parts of Londonderry and Dungannon have also been linked to republican splinter groups.

(PR/BMcC)

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