PSNI warns dissident threat growing

THE PSNI chief constable of Foyle District has warned of a growing dissident Republican threat in Derry with paramilitary groups mounting a recruiting drive in the area.

Chief Constable Chris Yates’s warning comes as the PSNI prepares to bury the force’s first member to be killed by terrorist activity since its foundation as the replacement to the RUC in 2001.

Constable Stephen Carroll was murdered on Monday night in the Craigavon area by the Continuity IRA, just two days after two British soldiers were killed by the rival dissident Republican faction, the Real IRA, in Co Antrim.

Yesterday PSNI detectives were granted a five-day extension to the detention period of a man and a youth, aged 37 and 17, who were arrested in the Craigavon area in relation to Mr Carroll’s murder on Tuesday. His Mass will be held today at 12 noon at St Therese’s Catholic Church, Banbridge.

A large number of the North’s politicians and Church figures are expected to attend, among them Sinn Féin MLAs John O’Dowd and Alex Maskey, as well as the party’s local councillor Dessie Ward. Mr O’Dowd said: “The PSNI is a police service which is working towards being fully civilianised. Stephen Carroll was involved in that process, as is Sinn Féin. It is only right and proper we pay respect to Stephen Carroll and give solidarity to his family.” He added: “There is a political message as well, it is a continuation of political leadership.”

Last night Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams held talks with Taoiseach Brian Cowen. Mr Adams warned against a knee-jerk response by the British government to the upsurge in violence.

Mr Cowen stressed he will discuss the developments in the North with US President Barack Obama when he meets him at the White House on St Patrick’s Day next week. Earlier Garda commissioner Fachtna Murphy and PSNI chief constable Hugh Orde met in Belfast. They vowed to work closely in the wake of the dissident republican murders.

After the meeting Mr Orde said the relationship between the police forces was “excellent”. He said the PSNI and gardaí were “determined to bring those responsible for these despicable murders over the last week to justice”.

Mr Murphy said: “An attack on any police officer is an attack on the whole of society.”