Government defuses IRA’s ‘foreboding’ message

THE Government yesterday moved to defuse the poisonous atmosphere that has surrounded the IRA’s threatening statement on Thursday.

Following the statement on Thursday which one Government source described as “brimming with hysteria” and “foreboding”, there was a distinct effort from all sides yesterday to restore calm to the situation.

The IRA’s latest statement ominously warned: “Do not underestimate the seriousness of the situation.”