US President Joe Biden & UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak Arrive in Belfast

[Ladybbird]

Terrorism Threat Level Raised in Northern Ireland

The terrorism threat level in Northern Ireland has been raised to SEVERE

The move, based on a Security Service (MI5) intelligence assessment, follows a rise in dissident republican activity, including a gun attack last month on a senior police officer.

BBC 28 MAR 2023







It sees the threat level raised from substantial to severe, meaning the risk of attack or attacks has gone from "likely" to "highly likely".

It was announced by Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris.


Tuesday's announcement reverses last year's downgrade which was the first change in Northern Ireland in 12 years.

MI5 is believed to review the threat level every six months - the terrorism threat level remains substantial in the rest of the UK.

Threat levels are designed to give an indication of the likelihood of a terrorist attack and there are five rankings ranging from low to critical: Severe is one level below critical.


Vigilance urged

In February Det Ch Insp John Caldwell was shot several times by two gunmen as he was putting footballs into his car boot having been coaching a youth training session.

The 48-year-old father of one remains in a critical condition in hospital in Omagh.

The attack was admitted by the main dissident group, the New IRA.






Det Ch Insp John Caldwell remains critically ill


In a written statement to MPs, Mr Heaton-Harris said: "The public should remain vigilant, but not be alarmed, and continue to report any concerns they have to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI)."

PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne said: "We will relentlessly pursue those who seek to cause harm and terrorise our communities, and attack my officers and staff."

Three months prior to February's attack on the police officer, the New IRA set off a roadside bomb in Strabane, County Tyrone, as a police car drove past, but neither of the two officers inside was injured.

Both attacks showed that after a number of years on the back foot, the organisation remains dangerous.

Two smaller dissident groups, the Continuity IRA and Arm na Poblachta (ANP), are also active.

What are the threat levels?
There are five:

CRITICAL means an attack is expected imminently
SEVERE means an attack is highly likely
SUBSTANTIAL means an attack is a strong possibility
MODERATE means an attack is possible, but not likely
LOW means an attack is unlikely

[Ladybbird]

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

[Ladybbird]

Petrol Bombs Thrown at Police Van Ahead of Visit by Joe Biden to Northern Ireland

A police van is seen being pelted by petrol bombs as it is parked at a road junction in social media footage ahead of the visit of Joe Biden to Northern Ireland

Twenty five years ago today, the Good Friday Agreement was signed - bringing an end, on paper at least, to the Troubles in Northern Ireland, which had cost thousands of lives over decades.

BBC 11 APR 2023























Horrifying footage shows a gang in hoods throwing “petrol bombs” at a police van in Derry ahead of Joe Biden ’s visit to Northern Ireland.

A Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) van is shown in a social media clip being pelted by missiles and catching fire as it is parked at a street corner.


Several people in hoods are seen lobbing the bottles at the van while one person could also be seen hitting the front of the vehicle with a stick.

Behind them are a larger group arriving before the 30 second clip shared on Twitter cuts out.

The tweet is captioned: “Petrol bombs thrown at the PSNI during Easter Rising parade in Derry @irish_news #easter #1916.”

More footage then shows the police van being driven away and a republican parade marching down the street.

Meanwhile, police have appealed for calm after officers were attacked with petrol bombs in Londonderry.

A PSNI tweet said: "Our officers have come under attack in Creggan with petrol bombs and other objects thrown at their vehicle while in attendance at an un-notified Easter parade.

"No injuries have been reported at this time.

"We would appeal for calm."

It comes with a dissident republican Easter commemoration parade being held in the city.

The parade, which travelled to the City Cemetery, was led by a number of people in paramilitary-style dress.

[Ladybbird]

US President Joe Biden & UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in Belfast to Mark 25th Anniversary of Good Friday Agreement

US President Joe Biden has joined UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in Belfast at the start of an historic four-day visit to Northern Ireland and the Republic.

BBC 12 APR 2023





US President Joe Biden is greeted by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at Belfast International Airport on Tuesday night


US President Joe Biden has landed in Belfast at the start of an historic four-day visit to Northern Ireland and the Republic.



Mr Biden was greeted by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as he stepped off Air Force One at Belfast International Airport.

His visit marks the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement - a peace deal which helped end 30 years of violent conflict in Northern Ireland.

The White House hailed the "tremendous progress" since it was signed in 1998.

But Mr Biden's trip is overshadowed by the fact that Northern Ireland's power-sharing government is not functioning.

It collapsed last year when the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) - one of the biggest parties at Stormont - pulled out as part of a protest against post-Brexit trade rules for Northern Ireland.

Mr Biden arrived in Belfast city centre at about 22:20 BST after making the journey from the airport in his presidential motorcade.

A huge security operation has been in place for most of Tuesday, with many city centre streets closed ahead of the visit.

Ahead of his arrival, Mr Biden said he was looking forward to marking the anniversary in Belfast and "underscoring the US commitment to preserving peace and encouraging prosperity".

His trip to Belfast will be the first leg of a four-day stay in Ireland, during which he will also discuss his Irish roots and meet Irish relatives. His sister Valerie and his son Hunter are also accompanying the US president on the visit.

• Why Ireland is so important to Joe Biden