PSNI chief warns of dissident republican unrest over Easter

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By Julian O’Neill, BBC Home Affairs and News correspondent 6 April

Updated 2 hours ago

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Chief Constable Simon Byrne made the remarks during a meeting of the Belfast Police Council

Police have warned of the potential for public disorder linked to dissident Republicans over the Easter period.

Police Chief Simon Byrne told a police council meeting that the problem could be an attempt to draw officers into gun or bomb attacks.

The events are held to mark the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.

The deal ended 30 years of violent conflict in Northern Ireland, known as the Troubles, which claimed more than 3,500 lives.

Mr Byrne said the PSNI has made temporary changes to shifts to put more officers on front line duties.

Police believe a dissident republican group, the New Irish Republican Army, was behind the attack on the off-duty officer.

Speaking after the Police Board meeting, Assistant Chief Constable Bobby Singleton said the PSNI had “very strong community intelligence” that attacks were being planned in Londonderry.

He said officers should “be prepared for that and we’ll be prepared for all eventualities on Monday.”

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Det Ch Insp John Caldwell was off duty when two gunmen shot him multiple times on February 22nd

Speaking in Belfast later on Thursday, Tanisty (Irish Deputy Prime Minister) Michael Martin said the prospect of an attack on the police represented “crime at its worst”.

“I think it’s bad people who think that,” he said.

Earlier Mr. Byrne also said resources would be further challenged by a visit by US President Joe Biden next week in connection with the anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, which falls on Monday.

About 300 officers from other British forces would be recruited to help.

The cost of the security operation around the presidential visit, anniversary events and Easter Sunday has been put at £7m.

Good Friday Agreement

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The Good Friday Agreement: A Brief Guide

In his final report to the Police Board, Mr Byrne said Det Ch Insp John Caldwell was still in a “bad condition” in hospital.

The chief of police revealed that the PSNI had set up a “detailed CCTV viewing center” as part of the attempted murder investigation.

The center is staffed by 30 investigators “working through over 100,000 hours of security cameras obtained through our inquiries.”

Mr Byrne also provided further details on the extent of the investigation into the gun attack, emphasizing the following:

15 arrests have been made, three related to shootings claimed, 22 searches of buildings and grounds have taken place so far, PSNI officers have spoken to more than 300 witnesses

In addition to the threat from dissident Republican paramilitaries, Mr. Byrne’s report also addressed the problems posed by continued violence within loyalist groups.

He said the PSNI was “currently dealing with the impact of a violent feud between criminal drug cartels” which he said were previously linked to the Ulster Defense League (UDA), a loyalist paramilitary organisation.

The row has led to gangs of masked men on the streets of Newtownards and many homes in North Down suffering firebombing, brick and at least one pipe bomb attacks over the past few weeks.

Recently, on Wednesday night, small groups of masked men were reported in several areas of Newtownards and police said a number of threats were made to people, telling them to leave the town.

“We have carried out a number of targeted searches and as of writing have arrested 10 men, two of whom have been charged, have appeared in court and are now on remand,” said Mr Byrne.

“Operation Police… will continue to act to stop these reckless attacks that endanger our community and have no place in society.”

“Against the backdrop of this demanding operational context, I remain deeply concerned about the stark budgetary challenge we face as an organisation,” he added.

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Former BBC political editor Stephen Grimason recalls the news of the Good Friday deal.

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