07-04-23, 05:30
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re: US President Joe Biden & UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak Arrive in Belfast
PSNI Chief Warns of Dissident Republican Disorder During Easter
The police have warned of the potential of public disorder linked to dissident republicans over the Easter period.
BBC 7 APR 2023
Chief Constable Simon Byrne has told a meeting of the Policing Board that the trouble could be an attempt to draw officers into gun or bomb attacks.
MI5 recently raised Northern Ireland's terrorism threat level to severe, meaning an attack is highly likely.
Events are being 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 cost the lives of more than 3,500 people.
Mr Byrne said the PSNI had made temporary changes to shifts to put more officers onto frontline duties.
In February senior detective John Caldwell suffered life-changing injuries when he was shot multiple times at a sports complex in Omagh, County Tyrone.
Police believe the dissident republican group the New IRA was behind the attack on the off-duty officer.
Speaking after the Policing 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 had to "be prepared for that and we will be prepared for all eventualities on Monday".
Det Ch Insp John Caldwell was off duty when he was shot several times by two gunmen on 22 February
Speaking in Belfast later on Thursday, the Tanaiste (Irish deputy PM) Micheál Martin said the possibility of an attack on police represented "criminality in its worst form".
"I think it's very evil people who are contemplating this," he said.
Earlier Mr Byrne also said resources would be further challenged by the visit of US President Joe Biden next week in relation to the Good Friday Agreement anniversary, which actually falls on Monday.
About 300 officers will be drafted in from other UK forces to help out.
The cost of the security operation around the presidential visit, anniversary events and Easter has been put at £7m.
The Good Friday Agreement: A Brief Guide
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