THE PSNI has issued a warning that dissident republicans are intent on murdering more of its police officers “in the coming days and weeks”. It also said it made three “significant” arrests during an operation in south Armagh yesterday targeting dissidents.
The PSNI took the unusual step yesterday evening of issuing a statement urging the public to be vigilant for such attacks over Easter.
A 33-year-old man who was arrested by PSNI detectives investigating the dissident republican murder of PSNI Constable Ronan Kerr is due to appear at Dungannon Magistrates Court in Co Tyrone today.
He is charged with possession of firearms and explosives with intent to endanger life and possession of articles likely to be of use in terrorism.
The warning to policemen was issued last night after a new dissident grouping, reported to be comprised of former Provisional IRA members, said it murdered Constable Kerr in Omagh three weeks ago.
The new group styling itself “the IRA” said it was responsible for the “recent execution of the RUC (sic) member in Omagh”.
In a statement to yesterday's Belfast Telegraphit also said it was planning more killings and bombings. It said it was totally separate from other dissident groups such as the Real IRA/Óglaigh na hÉireann and the Continuity IRA.
The PSNI asked the “public to be particularly vigilant over the Easter holiday period due to the severe threat level posed by terrorists”.
“Dissident terrorist groups are continuing to identify officers and target them with the single objective of killing them. And, in so doing, their reckless actions will also put the lives of our wider communities at risk,” said a spokeswoman.
“Police believe terrorist groups are intent on trying to murder officers in the coming days and weeks. And while police will be taking all appropriate and legitimate steps to minimise this threat, they are asking for the public’s co-operation, assistance and forbearance as they do so.”
She made clear that Northern Ireland was likely to experience disruptive security activity over the holiday to resist the dissident threat.
“The public will see an increased visible police presence over the coming days and weeks and we ask for their patience with their officers if they are inconvenienced due to police activity,” she said.
Police urged anyone who saw suspicious activity to report it to the PSNI. “If you see anything which does not look right or causes you concern, please contact police.”
The PSNI, meanwhile, has made what officers said were three “significant” arrests during an operation in south Armagh.
Police would release only bare details about the arrests, as they said they were part of a continuing operation against dissidents in the south Armagh area.
