The Five Demands

Massimo livello di sicurezza nel periodo natalizio, per arginare la minaccia dissidente

I commercianti dell’Irlanda del Nord sono stati esortati a mantenere alta la vigilanza in concomitanza alle festività natalizie, per cercare di fronteggiare eventuali attacchi di dissidenti repubblicani.
L’allarme è stato dato dopo i recentissimi attentati tra i quali l’autobomba contro il Policing Board. Le forze di sicurezza pensano che ad oggi siano circa 700 i dissidenti attivi su tutto il territorio nordirlandese, che starebbero avvalendosi delle conoscenze e della collaborazione di ex appartenenti alle file del Provisional IRA.
Nella giornata di ieri sono stati scoperti un paio di dispotivi sospetti all’esterno dell’Ulster Bank in Lisburn Road e in University Road, con conseguente blocco del traffico nell’area per circa 2 ore.
Precedentemente la PSNI era stata bersagliata da lanci di molotov e razzi nell’area di Creggan, a Derry.
Le forze di sicurezza invitano a non toccare qualsiasi oggetto che possa destare sospetti. ma di darne immediata comunicazione alla polizia.

Dissident Christmas Terror Campaign Feared (4 NI)
Retailers across Northern Ireland have been urged to step-up security procedures over the festive period, amid a heightened threat from dissident republicans.
It is feared terror groups will exploit increased footfall in towns and cities across the province by orchestrating a festive bombing campaign.
Police have warned traders to be on their guard, just weeks after the Real IRA planted a potentially deadly car bomb outside Policing Board headquarters in Belfast.
Security chiefs now believe around 700 dissident republicans are operating throughout the province.
A recent Independent Monitoring Commission report suggested terror groups were benefiting from the experience of former Provisional IRA members.
Yesterday several security alerts brought parts of Belfast city centre to a standstill.
Suspect devices were discovered outside Ulster Bank premises on the Lisburn and University Roads during the morning rush hour.
Traffic was disrupted in the area for almost two hours.
This followed weekend violence in the Creggan area of Londonderry, which saw scores of people take to the streets and pelt missiles at police.
A police spokesman said: “We would always urge retailers and business owners to keep an eye out for anything suspicious, to review security measures, and to check premises thoroughly before and after trading.
“Any suspicious object should not be handled – instead police should be contacted immediately.”