Policing move could undermine dissidents, says report

Further political progress in the North could undermine violent groups which have stepped up efforts to wreck the peace process, it was claimed today.

A report on the paramilitaries warned that dissident republicans were now attracting informal support from former Provisional IRA members and remained determined to launch attacks in Britain.

However, the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC), which reports to the Irish and British on the activities of violent groups, said the early devolution of policing and justice powers to the Stormont Assembly could provide a "potent intervention" to bolster the peace process.

The report covered the six months of March to August, when the Real IRA shot dead two soldiers and the Continuity IRA killed a police officer, and the document warned that the dissident threat was now the highest for six years.

"Some activities have involved co-operation between individuals from different groups without there being strategic co-operation by their leadership," the IMC said.

It added: "The overall level of dissident activity was markedly higher than we have seen since we first met in late 2003.

"The seriousness, range and tempo of their activities all changed for the worse in these six months.

"During this period dissident republicans were violent and showed an intent to kill if the opportunity arose."

While the majority of new recruits to the organisations were described as inexperienced young men, the IMC warned: "There are, however, now indications that former republican terrorists have, as individuals, provided services in some instances to dissident republican groups, which, even if occasional, can significantly add to the threat."

IMC spokesman John Alderdice added that since the Provisional IRA ended its campaign and effectively disbanded, cases had emerged of former members assisting dissidents.

"There are some indications of individual people on an ad hoc, almost one might say social basis, giving assistance or a handout to people of their acquaintance," he said.

"What is important at this stage is to say that there is no indication of any actual transition of people who were members of one organisation to be members of another organisation."

But while the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and Sinn Féin remain divided on when the transfer of policing and justice powers can be completed, the IMC said the move could help undermine dissidents.

"The early devolution of policing and justice powers to the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive could provide a potent intervention," the IMC said.

"This would not be because the dissidents would be impressed by it. It would be because policing and justice would no longer be a point of contention across the political divide, rather, it would be a platform for co-operation against those trying to undermine the peace process."

Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward said: "The IMC has analysed the real current threat posed by dissident republicans.

"Importantly, it also offers a solution to deal with the threat by the early devolution of policing and justice powers to the Assembly and the Executive."

He added: "The recently negotiated financial package underlines the Government's commitment to doing all that it can to ensure that there is a solid foundation for an incoming Department of Justice.

"It has always been the case that it is for the Assembly to ask for those powers to be transferred and today's IMC report should be hugely influential in informing an early decision."

The IMC report catalogued a series of bomb and gun attacks by dissidents, but it said there was strong evidence of communities and their leaders supporting the police.

The IMC said: "The three murders in March were by far the most serious incidents but there were many others involving extreme ruthlessness."

The IMC report said: "The violence of the dissidents over the six months under review is an attack on the peaceful political approach adopted by Sinn Féin and is designed to affect policing and to raise public fears about security."

While Sinn Féin has pushed for swift progress on the devolution of the powers that would see republicans and unionists share responsibility for the North's justice system, the DUP has said it will not move until it is ready.

DUP deputy leader and North Belfast MP Nigel Dodds said: "The terrorist threat which we all face in Northern Ireland highlights exactly why it is so important to ensure the conditions are right before any transfer of policing and justice powers.

"Whilst other parties were urging the DUP to agree an incomplete financial package, we were pressing the government to ensure that the finances would be there to help tackle such problems.

"We will continue to press ahead, however, in ensuring there is community confidence prior to any transfer of these sensitive powers."

Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern said the IMC comments on the political process were a useful contribution.

He also hit out at dissident groups: "These are a small hardcore of unrepentant criminals who have no support amongst the Irish people, North or South."

Former British Metropolitan Police commander John Grieve, who also sits on the IMC, warned that the dissident groups remained committed to attempting to launch attacks in Britain, though the monitoring body had no information of an imminent threat.

Alliance leader David Ford, whose party is expected to eventually fill a new Justice Ministry at Stormont, said the IMC report was a wake-up call for politicians.

"It's clear that the devolution of justice is being held up by rows between the DUP and Sinn Féin, and it's clear from the IMC report that we cannot afford such delays," he said.

In March the so-called Real IRA shot dead two soldiers, Patrick Azimkar, 21, and Mark Quinsey, 23, outside the Massereene Army base in Co Antrim.

Within two days the Continuity IRA murdered Pc Stephen Carroll, 48, in Co Armagh.