Real IRA Re-issues Threat To Police

Dissident republicans have re-issued their chilling threat to murder Northern Ireland police officers.

Real IRA sources have said the group is intent on killing police in 2009, following a number of unsuccessful murder bids last year.

The group told the Irish News it has no plans to disband or enter into peace talks, instead insisting it will heighten its terror campaign in the province.

Drug dealers in Belfast and Londonderry have also been warned that their lives are under threat from the group, who claims it has compiled a list of drug-barons it plans to "execute".

Real IRA members orchestrated several failed assassination attempts on PSNI personnel last year, including a booby-trap bomb attack on an off-duty Tyrone officer.

The 27-year-old constable sustained leg injuries after the device exploded under his car.

A Real IRA source told the Irish News the group is more determined that ever to murder members of the security forces.

According to the spokesman, a number of targets have been identified, as the terrorist group continues to "gather intelligence on their movements".

Delivering its New Year statement, the republican group said it would be using 2009 to "organize and develop".

The statement said: "We must think and act strategically and in the long term the British are not going anywhere soon and neither are we.

"Make no mistake, we are here for the long haul. We will continue to exist until the illegal occupation of our nation has ended."

Former members of the Provisional IRA founded the Real IRA in 1997.

(PR/KMcA)