Dissident threat has to be met ‘head on’

Local Garda bosses say threats from dissidents to murder people who talk to the police must be met “head-on” and warned that the paramilitaries must not be allowed “take control”.

Garda superintendents said dissidents are seeking to exploit not only the ongoing political vacuum but a “policing vacuum” created by a “vast reduction” of gardaí on the southern side of the border and the closure of police stations on the northern side.