Dissident republican group threatens families of PSNI officers
It comes just weeks after the attempted murder of a senior detective
A dissident republican group has issued a threat to the families of PSNI officers.
In a statement to the Irish News "Arm na Poblachta" said relatives are now being treated as "legitimate targets".
It's understood all PSNI staff have been told to take reasonable security steps.
It comes just weeks after the attempted murder of a senior PSNI detective in Omagh.
Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell remains critically ill in hospital after the suspected New IRA shooting at a sports complex.
Reacting to the fresh threat from dissidents, Chair of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland Liam Kelly, said, “The deplorable threat issued by dissident republican thugs to police families marks an escalation in their pathetic rhetoric.”
“These people, and whoever else collaborates with them in their murderous cabal, point to the bankruptcy of their position.”
“They are without purpose, other than to kill and maim officers and now, it seems, their families. They are trying hard to find relevance when they are being shunned.”
“Threatening police officers and their families is despicable. Officers work on behalf of everybody without fear or favour. And their families make big sacrifices so that officers can continue to safeguard communities and counter the reckless and profit-inspired gangsters who deliver misery.”
“We must work together to rid Northern Ireland of the scourge of paramilitarism and gangsterism, and I would appeal for an all-out community effort to do just that.”
Meanwhile a Policing Board spokesperson said, “No one should have to live under a threat because of a career choice, and neither should any member of their family.”
“This is a sinister threat, designed to cause fear. It is condemned by the Board and must be condemned right across the community.”
The threat has also been condemned across the political spectrum. DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said, “It is hard to comprehend the mindset of those who would issue a threat against the families of our police officers. No one should face such a threat because of their career and neither should their family. I know the whole community will stand united against those who would seek to drag us back.”
“Those responsible for such threats must be brought to justice and it underscores the need to support the PSNI, both vocally and by pressing the Government to tackle the budget shortfall within policing.”
The Party’s lead representative on the Policing Board Trevor Clarke MLA added, “This is outrageous and a new low. People are called terrorists because their objective is to create fear. The reason they target police officers and now their families is an attempt to scare people into their mindset.”
“These terrorists should realise that the IRA tried to scare people for thirty years and failed. They will not succeed either.”
“Most people in Northern Ireland want to move forward free from terrorism.
“Our thoughts are with the police as they serve the public.”
Sinn Féin policing spokesperson, Gerry Kelly said, “Reports that the ‘Arm na Poblachta’ group has issued threats to the families of police officers is absolutely despicable.”
“They should publicly withdraw these disgraceful threats, any other threats against police officers, and any intended attacks against anyone. They should pack up and go. There is no place for these groups in our communities.”
“Some of these groups are heavily involved in criminality and have strong links to loyalist gangsters and other criminal gangs whose actions are a scourge on our society.”
“Anyone with information on the people behind these threats should pass it on to the police.”
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