New IMC Report Warns Of Dissident Activities

The British and Irish Governments have published the 21st report of the Independent Monitoring Commission.

The Commission's report continues its assessment of the level of paramilitary activity, and covers the six month period from September 2008 to February 2009. 

The report references to the murders of two soldiers in Antrim and of a PSNI officer in Craigavon in March 2009 and comments on the involvement in these killings of various dissident republican groups in an attempt to disrupt the ongoing peace process in the North.

It also highlights the efforts of dissident groups to raise additional funds and procure weapons, stating that such groups remain a "serious threat."

Commenting on the report and its findings, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Dermot Ahern T.D. said: "I want to thank the IMC for its report, and for once again highlighting the moral bankruptcy of these so-called dissident republican groups. 

"As I have stated before, these groups represent only themselves. They have no mandate from the people of Ireland, North or South, for their murderous activities.

"They offer nothing to Ireland but criminality, venality and more death. That drug-dealing, kidnapping and brothel-keeping feature on the list of activities in which they engage in pursuit of their goals speaks volumes about the principles, or lack thereof, which underpin these organisations."

The Minister once again praised the work of An Garda Síochána and the PSNI in continuing to counter dissident terrorists, including the very high level of co-operation in place between the two police forces.

The Minister also noted the Commission's assessment of the various Loyalist groups and the need for early progress on the decommissioning of their weaponry.