Michelle O’Neill asks Sinn Fein members to be ‘very vigilant’ after police warn ‘the so-called New IRA, plan to attack a Sinn Féin member using an under car explosive device’

Thousands of Sinn Fein members are now being asked to be ‘very vigilant’ after police last night told Sinn Féin ‘that persons aligned with the dissident Republican group, the so-called New IRA, plan to attack a Sinn Féin member using an under car explosive device’.
Michelle O'Neill at the PSNI recruitment event last weekMichelle O'Neill at the PSNI recruitment event last week
Michelle O'Neill at the PSNI recruitment event last week

In a statement last night, deputy First Minister Ms O’Neill said that the PSNI had informed Sinn Fein of the threat against a party member.

It comes a week after the party was told of a dissident threat against Ms O’Neill and her colleague Policing Board member Gerry Kelly.

It is believed the threat against the pair emerged after they attended a PSNI recruitment event which they supported.

Banners were also erected in the centre of Londonderry last week discouraging people from joining the police.

In a statement Ms O’Neill said: “Following the recent launch of a PSNI recruitment campaign, police have told Sinn Féin tonight that persons aligned with the dissident Republican group, the so-called New IRA, plan to attack a Sinn Féin member using an under car explosive device.

“We have been told this planned attack could happen anywhere in the north.

“This is literally a threat against thousands of Sinn Féin members and their families in the north.

“This is not the first time this particular group have made threats against Sinn Féin and the PSNI is taking this threat very seriously.

“I am urging the party’s members to be very vigilant at this time.

“This latest threat shows once again that these groups are in conflict with their own community.

“This dangerous and disgraceful threat comes at a time when the debate on Irish unity is centre stage.

“And the response of these so-called Republicans is to plan attacks on Sinn Féin members.

“Let me be very clear. Sinn Féin will not be deterred from pursuing our objective of a united Ireland.

“We will continue to represent the people in government and in communities the length and breadth of Ireland, driving the agenda for change which has been backed by more than 700,000 voters across this island.

“This armed group must withdraw its threat immediately. There is no room for the existence of armed groups. They should disband.”

Sinn Fein’s attendance at the policing recruitment event earlier this month was seen as groundbreaking, given the party’s historically uneasy relationship with the police.

While Sinn Fein has supported the PSNI since 2007, the party has declined to attend passing out parades for new recruits.

Ms O’Neill and Mr Kelly attended the PSNI recruitment launch on February 4 alongside First Minister Arlene Foster, Chief Constable Simon Byrne and other Policing Board members and politicians.