New IRA '2023 message' heavily criticised

 Police seal off the scene of the bomb attack on a police vehicle in Strabane last November.

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has called on the New IRA to “get off the backs of local people” and end its campaign of violence.

The comment came after the dissident group issued a New Year’s statement in which it “rededicated” itself to use “all means” to end British rule in the North.