GARDA WARN OF DISSIDENT THREAT
Garda warn of dissident threat
New strategy highlights five year plan
By Micheal Devine
RENEGADE republicans opposed to the Good Friday Agreement pose a major threat to the peace process, according to a report being circulated to all members of the Garda.
The document was drawn up by the organisation unit at Garda headquarters in cooperation with the office of Garda Commissioner Pat Byrne.
It outlines the strategy to be followed by the force over the next five years.
It states: "There is and will be a strong capability among dissident groups to hit chosen targets and there must be a strong capability in An Garda Siochana to counter this threat.
"When terrorists attack the State it is the lives and quality of life of totally innocent people that are at risk.
"The toll of killed and injured is horrific and among them 31 gardai have died protecting people and the State and, among the thousands of gardai who have been injured or disabled on duty, many suffered their injuries in preventing terrorist activity."
The report backs up warnings from the security forces on both sides of the border of the threat posed by dissident republican groups, including the Continuity IRA, the only republican terror group not to have declared a ceasefire, and the Real IRA, who declared a cessation after the Omagh bomb in August 1998 killed 29 people.
The CIRA was responsible for a bomb attack last week on Mahon's Hotel in Irvinestown, Co Fermanagh.
Three weeks ago, gardai seized a haul of arms and explosives, including primed bombs containing Semtex, when they stopped a van in Co Tipperary. Gardai believe the armaments were being brought to Northern Ireland for an attack on the security forces.
New strategy highlights five year plan
By Micheal Devine
RENEGADE republicans opposed to the Good Friday Agreement pose a major threat to the peace process, according to a report being circulated to all members of the Garda.
The document was drawn up by the organisation unit at Garda headquarters in cooperation with the office of Garda Commissioner Pat Byrne.
It outlines the strategy to be followed by the force over the next five years.
It states: "There is and will be a strong capability among dissident groups to hit chosen targets and there must be a strong capability in An Garda Siochana to counter this threat.
"When terrorists attack the State it is the lives and quality of life of totally innocent people that are at risk.
"The toll of killed and injured is horrific and among them 31 gardai have died protecting people and the State and, among the thousands of gardai who have been injured or disabled on duty, many suffered their injuries in preventing terrorist activity."
The report backs up warnings from the security forces on both sides of the border of the threat posed by dissident republican groups, including the Continuity IRA, the only republican terror group not to have declared a ceasefire, and the Real IRA, who declared a cessation after the Omagh bomb in August 1998 killed 29 people.
The CIRA was responsible for a bomb attack last week on Mahon's Hotel in Irvinestown, Co Fermanagh.
Three weeks ago, gardai seized a haul of arms and explosives, including primed bombs containing Semtex, when they stopped a van in Co Tipperary. Gardai believe the armaments were being brought to Northern Ireland for an attack on the security forces.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0732
Published Date: 17-Feb-00
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