Dissident Irish republicans are more active than any other terrorist group in the UK, according to the latest British intelligence service surveillance.
MI5 data indicates that organisations such as the Real IRA and the Continuity IRA currently posed a greater danger than Islamic extremists, according to a report in The Guardiannewspaper.
More than 60 per cent of all electronic information intercepted through wire taps and other covert operations related to dissident republicans, sources told the paper.
Dissidents have claimed responsibility for murder bids on five police officers in Northern Ireland since November.
Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde has stated that the threat from republicans opposed to the peace process is the highest at any time this decade.
British security sources told the Guardianthat:
- 80 hardcore dissidents may be plotting terrorist attacks;
- 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;
- Dissidents’ targets have also recently extended to prison officers;
- Police numbers are so stretched that officers with anti-terrorist experience are being transferred from Greater Belfast to rural areas.
Democratic Unionist minister in the Stormont Executive and former Northern Ireland Policing Board member Jeffrey Donaldson said police resources had to be targeted at the groups.
“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,” said the Lagan Valley MP.
“This activity is targeted at members of the security forces and prison services and the threat level is very high at the moment.
“It is important that the Chief Constable recognises the seriousness of this threat and the imminent dangers posed to security force and prison service members and that there’s an appropriate response to deal with the threat.
“We have been very fortunate that those dissident republicans have not managed to cause death (in their recent campaign) but they have come very close on a number of occasions and I would be very concerned about the level of activity at the minute and the potential for further such attacks.
“Everything must be done to ensure the threat is dealt with before a life is lost.”
PA