Dissidents 'working together' to increase threat
Dissident republicans in the North are working more closely together to heighten their violent threat to the political process, it was revealed today.
The Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC), which reports to the British and Irish governments on the activities of paramilitary groups, warned that they pose a major challenge to security forces.
The IMC also revealed that members of the groups responsible for killing two soldiers and a police officer in the North earlier this year were working together to increase their threat.
The monitoring group’s latest report covered the six months of March to August this year said the threat from dissidents was the highest it had seen over the last six years.
“It does, however, need to be understood that there have been some changes in the overall pattern; in particular, that some activities have involved co-operation between individuals from different groups without there being strategic co-operation by their leadership,” the IMC said.
It added: “The overall level of dissident activity was markedly higher than we have seen since we first met in late 2003.
“The seriousness, range and tempo of their activities all changed for the worse in these six months.
“During this period dissident republicans were violent and showed an intent to kill if the opportunity arose.”
In March the so-called Real IRA shot dead two soldiers, Patrick Azimkar, 21, and Mark Quinsey, 23, outside the Massereene Army base in Co Antrim.
Within two days the Continuity IRA murdered Constable Stephen Carroll, 48, in Co Armagh.
The IMC said: “The three murders in March were by far the most serious incidents but there were many others involving extreme ruthlessness.”
The organisation cited a string of bomb and gun attacks launched by the groups, noting that many could have easily claimed lives.
“A number of the incidents for which dissidents were responsible demonstrated a capability to plan and organise which adds to the threat they present,” said the IMC.
“They pose a major challenge to the law enforcement and other agencies on both sides of the border.”
The IMC said dissidents remained committed to launching an attack in Britain if the opportunity emerged.
And while the majority of new recruits to the organisations were described as inexperienced young men, the IMC warned: “There are, however, now indications that former republican terrorists have, as individuals, provided services in some instances to dissident republican groups, which, even if occasional, can significantly add to the threat.”
The IMC said dissidents could be undermined by the devolution of policing and justice powers to the Northern Ireland Assembly, arguing that the move would signal the strength of the political process.
