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Irish police say dissident republican threat increasing

Xinhua, January 7, 2016 Adjust font size:

The capability of dissident republicans to carry out gun and bomb attacks in the Republic of Ireland and in Northern Ireland is increasing, according to Irish police on Wednesday.

State broadcaster RTE quoted Irish police officers as saying they had discovered more sophisticated homemade explosives, timing units, and firearms in a variety of searches over the past two years.

Over 30 suspected dissident republicans were arrested last year, 22 of whom were brought to court on terrorist-related charges.

The term dissident republican describe Irish republicans who do not support the current peace agreements in Northern Ireland.

The agreements followed a 30-year conflict known as the Troubles, which claimed over 3,500 lives. During the conflict, republican paramilitary groups waged a campaign to bring about a united Irish republic.

RTE quoted John O'Mahoney, assistant police commissioner, as saying that dissident republicans continue to present a very real threat, particularly in Northern Ireland.

While dissident republicans have very little public support, they pose a real threat to the lives of innocent people, as well as businesses, the economy, and to the peace process, he said.

Irish police displayed a sample of the firearms and explosives they have seized from dissident republicans over the past two years.

The display included a beer-keg bomb, homemade mortars, sniper rifles, revolvers, a Sten machine gun, AK47 assault rifles as well as timing units, Semtex explosives, detonator cords and ammunition. Endit