The Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Mr Hugh Orde, says he fears there will be more violence in a bitter feud within Provisional IRA ranks in south Armagh.
Speaking to reporters yesterday, he said there was paramilitary involvement in the killing of Keith Rogers (24) in Cullaville. Up to 10 men were involved in a fight preceding the death of Mr Rogers, a Provisional IRA member. Two other men were wounded in the incident.
"It clearly was a fall-out between two factions of the Provisional IRA. That sends a very worrying message to us," Mr Orde said. He expressed concern that there could be further bloodshed. He said police were prepared for reprisal shootings.
Last week the veteran republican, Mr Brian Keenan, told mourners at Mr Rogers's funeral in Crossmaglen that his killers were "a band of vermin". The Provisional IRA member had been killed by criminals masquerading as republicans and the republican movement would soon "no doubt make their position very clear".
The Chief Constable said his officers were prepared for more shootings: "We are looking at that as a contingency. In any situations like that, you have to look at the potential fall-out. There may be consequences as a result of the attack."
Mr Orde said detectives were still investigating the circumstances of the feud which was "a fairly complicated story". The family of one man injured in last week's fight claimed Mr Rogers was part of a masked and armed gang attempting to kidnap his son.
Another member of the family lost a foot in a horrific "punishment" shooting last month. Mr Orde, who was giving his first press conference since returning from St Patrick's Day celebrations in Washington, said he was delighted the PSNI had been invited .
He had met several prominent congressmen and senators, some of whom had "asked hard questions" about the police of the past. He had given "straight answers". He had told them not all the communities in the North trusted the police yet, but he was committed to building a professional, impartial force willing to serving everyone.
He said President Bush had made it clear Sinn Féin should sign up to the Policing Board.