'Dissidents assisted by IRA' - watchdog
A PARAMILITARY watchdog has claimed former IRA members are assisting dissident republicans in their campaign of terror.
The Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC) also said the dissident republican threat was at its highest for almost six years.
The latest report, the 22nd compiled by the commission, covers the period from 1 March until the end of August and includes the killings of two soldiers and a PSNI officer by so-called dissidents.
Both the Real IRA and the Continuity IRA were working more closely together to increase the threat posed to security forces, according to the report.
The involvement of former IRA members "significantly added to the threat", it continued.
"The overall level of dissident activity was markedly higher than we have seen since we first met in late 2003," the report said.
READ THE FULL REPORT HERE
"The seriousness, range and tempo of their activities all changed for the worse in these six months.
"During this period dissident republicans were violent and showed an intent to kill if the opportunity arose."
Sappers Mark Quinsey and Patrick Azimkar were murdered outside Massereene Army barrack in Antrim on 7 March. The attack was claimed by the Real IRA.
The Continuity IRA claimed responsibility for the killing of Constable Stephen Carroll in Craigavon less than 48 hours later.
The IMC also welcomed decommissioning moves by loyalist paramilitaries.
The UVF, UDA and Red Hand Commando announced in June they had began a process of disarming and committed themselves to exclusively peaceful means.
The Independent Monitoring Commission was set up by the British and Irish Governments in 2004.
According to it website, its purpose is to help promote the establishment of stable and inclusive devolved government in a peaceful Northern Ireland.
The IMC consists of four members, including former Alliance Party leader Lord Alderdice, Dick Kerr, Joe Brosnan and John Grieve.
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Tuesday 14 February 2012
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