Irish dissidents pose 'growing threat'

Minister warns that recent violence 'as dangerous as at any time during Troubles'

News in pictures
News in pictures
On Facebook
From the blogs

Bahrain: One year on

I am used to endless lies and criticism from the BNP and its favourite blogster, as well as Islamist...

HIV orphans in Thailand prepare for the future

In Baan Gerda, a community for HIV infected or affected youngsters in Northern Thailand, a group of ...

Online House Hunter: England’s most romantic places

Our Online House Hunter goes in search of romance this Valentine's Day...

Roy Hodgson for England: A club of one

To argue against Harry Redknapp for England is akin to arguing in favour of bankers bonuses. While s...

The recent upsurge in republican violence in Northern Ireland represents "a threat as dangerous as anything that we've had during the 30 years of our troubles", the Irish government warned yesterday.

Dermot Ahern, the Justice minister, was speaking following a week in which dissidents shot dead a man near the city of Londonderry and set off a large car bomb in the centre of the border city of Newry, Co Down. The man killed was an ex-prisoner said by the Real IRA to have been one of its members. The Newry car-bombing was widely condemned by public figures.

Mr Ahern, who has responsibility for policing in the Irish Republic, warned about what he described as a growing threat from groups which have been responsible for 13 major events since last September. He said such organisations were co-operating more with each other, adding: "These people are much more sophisticated than they were, and seem to have a greater capability than they had a year or two ago." He said police on both sides of the border were co-operating closely to cope with the threat.

The latest dissident-related incident took place on Saturday night in Co Armagh, when police lured into the Craigavon area were attacked by a mob using bricks and missiles which included flagstones. Officers fired plastic bullets after three police vehicles were damaged. Chief Inspector Jason Murphy said: "Missiles and masonry had been thrown at the vehicles, and individuals approached the vehicles with iron bars, trying to break the windows and get access to my officers."

In March of last year a police constable was shot dead by the Continuity IRA, one of the dissident groups, not far away.

Police are meanwhile investigating lasts week's killing of Kieran Doherty, a republican shot dead by the Real IRA. His body, bound and partially stripped, was found in a rural area on Wednesday night. His family issued a statement denying that he was an informer or drug dealer, saying he had been the subject of "continuous harassment" by MI5. While in prison Doherty was a leader of a Real IRA faction. The family's statement said he had been "trying to get on with his life" since his release from prison. It added: "Kieran was a good and decent man trying to lead a normal life and looking forward to getting married." They said that recently he had been been stressed, lost weight, and was treated in hospital for depression.

Condemning the Craigavon incident, local Sinn Fein representative John O'Dowd declared: "I would challenge those who claim to speak politically for these factions to tell the republican and nationalist community exactly how these sorts of activities advance the cause of a united Ireland one iota."

Career Services

Day In a Page

No secularism please, we're British

No secularism please, we're British

Arguments about the role of religion in national life have recently acquired a new urgency
Harold Tillman: 'Chinese tourists can save the high street – if we let them'

Harold Tillman interview

'Chinese tourists can save the high street – if we let them'
Working as a jail torturer ruined my life

Working as a jail torturer ruined my life

Meet the former soldier who has joined the political prisoners he tortured in Turkey's Mamak prison by suing the generals who led a regime of terror
The local high street jet shop

The local high street jet shop

Got a spare $50m and can't stand the queues at Heathrow? Get yourself down to London's first private plane dealership
Do you like your doctor? It could be the death of you

Do you like your doctor?

It could be the death of you...
The mysterious affair of how Agatha Christie is teaching foreigners English

How Agatha Christie is teaching foreigners English

Twenty of the author's novels have been adapted and presented with learning notes and a CD
Six Grammys, five years off: Adele puts love before career

Six Grammys, five years off

Adele puts love before career
The 10 Best binoculars

The 10 Best binoculars

From no-frills to bins with digital cameras
Milan for £300

Milan for £300?

A cultural family holiday - on a budget - to Italy's most stylish city
'Black-hole' resorts: Turn up, tune out, log off

'Black-hole' resorts

Turn up, tune out, log off
New Arsenal face an old question of credibility in San Siro

New Arsenal face an old question of credibility in San Siro

Remodelled since winning in Milan in 2008, for all their consistency – and prize-money – Wenger's side are yet to claim a European title
James Lawton: This prodigal son deserves no forgiveness

James Lawton: This prodigal son deserves no forgiveness

City would be putting their desire to win title ahead of morals if Tevez plays for them
Mark Cavendish: Is Olympic gold at end of the rainbow?

Mark Cavendish interview

Is Olympic gold at end of the rainbow?
Apple admits it has a human rights problem

Apple admits it has a human rights problem

After years of complaints and workers' suicides in China the technology giant faces up to the human cost of its gadgets
Peter Moore: 'I feel guilty I'm the only one alive'

Peter Moore interview

'I feel guilty I'm the only one alive'