Real IRA says 'their war' goes on

The Real IRA have made a statement saying that "their war" will continue until a full withdrawal of British forces from the North.

A statement from the Real IRA dismissed calls for a ceasefire and rejected calls from inside Portlaoise jail for a stand down.

The statement issued in the name of its army council also denied reports it was in ceasefire negotiations with the Government.

The group, responsible for the Omagh bombing in which 29 people were killed, also said nationalists who joined the Police Service of Northern Ireland were "legitimate targets" for assassination.

Responding, the SDLP policing spokesman, Alex Attwood, said people who had the conviction and courage to join the PSNI were in stark contrast to the cowardice and contempt displayed in the Real IRA statement.