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14/09/2009
'Severe' Dissident Threat: Gillespie
Dissident republicans continue to pose a 'severe' threat to Northern Ireland, a senior police officer has said.
Acting PSNI Chief Constable Judith Gillespie's announcement comes just days after a 600lb explosive device was made safe close to the border.
It has been claimed the dissident group behind the bomb plot may be planning a second attack.
Oglaigh na hEireann, a small splinter organisation, claimed responsibility for the bomb.
Late last week, family members of a serving police officer were targeted by terrorists in Derry.
Explosive devices were left at the homes of the officer's parents and his sister.
"We don't say that lightly - it is a severe threat to police officers that's the target," said Ms Gillespie, (pictured here).
"If you look, for example, at what happened in Derry in the last couple of days when a police officer from the area serving the community, their family was targeted, was absolutely despicable."
The Acting Chief Constable said police needed their extra powers to help keep the public safe and tackle dissident elements.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the NI Policing Board, Barry Gilligan has also rounded on those behind the threats.
"I strongly condemn this vile and cowardly attack on an innocent family and it is a miracle that no-one was seriously injured or hurt in this incident.
"There is no place in our society for anyone who carries out such violent attacks," he said.
"This police officer has chosen to do a job serving the community and this is an attempt to intimidate him and his family within that community.
"The criminals who planted this device and carried out this deplorable act have nothing to offer anyone.
"They have no support from our communities or any of the political parties," he insisted, noting that this "will not derail the progress that has been made and is being made in policing in Northern Ireland".
"I would call on anyone who saw or knows anything about this attack to report it to the police," he concluded.
See: Real IRA Claims Responsibility For Derry Attacks
(PR/KMcA)
Acting PSNI Chief Constable Judith Gillespie's announcement comes just days after a 600lb explosive device was made safe close to the border.
It has been claimed the dissident group behind the bomb plot may be planning a second attack.
Oglaigh na hEireann, a small splinter organisation, claimed responsibility for the bomb.
Late last week, family members of a serving police officer were targeted by terrorists in Derry.
Explosive devices were left at the homes of the officer's parents and his sister.
"We don't say that lightly - it is a severe threat to police officers that's the target," said Ms Gillespie, (pictured here).
"If you look, for example, at what happened in Derry in the last couple of days when a police officer from the area serving the community, their family was targeted, was absolutely despicable."
The Acting Chief Constable said police needed their extra powers to help keep the public safe and tackle dissident elements.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the NI Policing Board, Barry Gilligan has also rounded on those behind the threats.
"I strongly condemn this vile and cowardly attack on an innocent family and it is a miracle that no-one was seriously injured or hurt in this incident.
"There is no place in our society for anyone who carries out such violent attacks," he said.
"This police officer has chosen to do a job serving the community and this is an attempt to intimidate him and his family within that community.
"The criminals who planted this device and carried out this deplorable act have nothing to offer anyone.
"They have no support from our communities or any of the political parties," he insisted, noting that this "will not derail the progress that has been made and is being made in policing in Northern Ireland".
"I would call on anyone who saw or knows anything about this attack to report it to the police," he concluded.
See: Real IRA Claims Responsibility For Derry Attacks
(PR/KMcA)
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