Firm action needed over dissidents
Police reinforcements must be drafted into the Newry area to deal with the growing threat of dissident republicans, before it is too late.
It looks very much as if the dissidents have chosen Newry and the surrounding area as the battleground for their perverted war against the community.
The worrying thing is that they do not seem to lack the numbers or the confidence to carry out attacks which fortunately have not claimed lives so far.
A few months ago about 10 heavily armed dissidents took over the south Armagh village of Meigh in a show of strength that sent shudders of fear through the community.
Then a few weeks ago a dissident bomb exploded outside Newry Courthouse and as the police said at the time, it was a miracle that no one was killed.
At the weekend, the dissidents again tried to murder members of the security forces when they opened fire on police officers investigating a suspicious object close to a railway line outside Newry.
The local police commander said his officers will continue to look after the policing needs of all the people and will put in place whatever measures are necessary to take a robust stance against those who seem determined to disrupt and attack local communities.
Those measures and robust action must include bringing more officers into the area.
The dissidents cannot be allowed to gain the upper hand in Newry, or for that matter anywhere in the Province.
There is an opportunity to stamp down hard on them but it must be done effectively and without delay.
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 14 February 2012
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Temperature: 6 C to 9 C
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