Dissident groups deny responsibility for SF attacks

A group representing several dissident republican outfits has denied that these organisations were responsible for attacks on the homes of Sinn Fein members or on the party's offices in Belfast and Derry.

A group representing several dissident republican outfits has denied that these organisations were responsible for attacks on the homes of Sinn Féin members or on the party's offices in Belfast and Derry.

The Republican Network for Unity says the attacks were "acts of vandalism" carried out either by "anti-social elements" or individuals opposed to Sinn Féin policy.

Either way, it says, organised republican dissident groups are not to blame and Sinn Féin should not assume they are.