Kennedy calls for Chief Constable’s Assessment on “Sustained Threat from Dissident Republicans”
Ulster Unionist Assembly Group Deputy Leader Danny Kennedy has voiced his concerns that recent events have “all the hallmarks of a sustained campaign from dissident republicans”.
The UUP Policing Board member called for vigilance from the public, and said that it would also be useful if the Chief Constable could publicly issue his assessment of the present situation.
In a statement, the Newry & Armagh MLA said: “We’ve seen firebombs in Newry, bomb warnings on the rail line, and today’s developments in Louth. These appear to be emanating from the same quarter and presumably designed to achieve the same effect; that is, to take life and damage economic interests in the area.
“We have to put recent events into context. Alongside the weekend’s hunger strike commemorations, yesterday was the eighth anniversary of the Omagh bomb. This is a period in the calendar which regrettably lends itself to this particular strain of violent republicanism.
“And these are outrages made more cynical by the fact that an alleged attempt was made last week to kill many thousands of air travellers. The threat of terrorism from both within and without remains at a level that is deeply disturbing.”
Concluding, he said: “The attempted bombing in Louth seems to be the latest act in a sustained period of dissident activity.
“Of course this is a judgement call for the intelligence services, but what does a campaign look like if it doesn’t look like this? An assessment from the Chief Constable would help to clarify the nature of the threat that is being mounted against the community on both sides of the border.
“I trust communities in Northern Ireland and the Republic will fully support the authorities in removing from society the cynical and evil individuals behind these attacks and ensure they’re placed firmly behind bars.”