Republican dissidents exploiting terror threat, says Nicholson
Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson said today that the ongoing threat posed by dissident republicans is “evil and cynical” especially when considered against the backdrop of last week’s terror threat to UK airports.
In a statement the UUP MEP said: “Security services in the UK and across the world are cooperating to fight against global terrorists who conspire to kill thousands of people, yet dissident republicans feel that these efforts should be undermined with their reckless and deplorable actions last week.
“The old slogan that ‘England’s difficulty is Ireland’s opportunity’ embodies a cynicism within republicanism that clearly still exists today.
“By continuing to plot murder, the dissidents act in sympathy with the evil that we saw in London.
“Had the UK authorities not acted in the manner in which they did, we could be dealing with a human tragedy rivalling 9/11. Yet at this time of grave crisis, dissident republicans exploited an opportunity to create more mayhem.
“There is no principle or conscience associated with terrorism. What we have seen in the past four days demonstrates this and highlights the importance of supporting and assisting those who offer us protection.
“Such threats must end and I would urge anyone with information to contact police.”
