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Northern Ireland’s justice minister has emphasized that despite their reduced numbers, dissident republican groups continue to possess both the capability and motivation to carry out attacks targeting the police. This statement came following an incident in Lurgan where what authorities described as a “crude, but viable improvised explosive device” was involved in an attempted attack, which police believe was almost certainly orchestrated by dissident republicans.
Naomi Long, speaking on Good Morning Ulster, acknowledged that although there has not been a significant rise in such activities recently, those involved remain deeply committed to violence and destruction. She underlined the efforts of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) who work tirelessly to protect the community and disrupt these groups, but stressed the importance of remaining vigilant against ongoing threats. According to Long, while the dissident groups are small in number, the Lurgan incident served as a stark reminder of their continued dedication to causing harm and disruption, especially in sensitive periods such as the lead-up to Easter.
The attempt in Lurgan involved two masked men threatening a pizza delivery driver at gunpoint, forcing him to drive a car containing the bomb to the local police station, leading to a large security operation including evacuations and road closures. Long condemned the attack as reckless, highlighting the disregard shown by the perpetrators for innocent lives—including both the driver and the police staff managing the aftermath. She described the group’s actions not only as aimed at police but as an indiscriminate threat to the people of Lurgan.
Other political figures also responded to the event. John O’Dowd, a Sinn Féin assembly member, described the incident as “shocking,” particularly considering the danger posed to the delivery driver. He remarked on the contrast between recent positive communal events in Lurgan and the shadow cast by this violent episode, while appealing to the public to reject any return to past conflicts. Similarly, the Tánaiste expressed deep concern, referring to the attack as “deeply chilling” and emphasizing the need to uphold the peace process on the island of Ireland.
The broader context involves dissident republican groups who reject the Good Friday Agreement, a pivotal 1998 peace deal that marked an end to much of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Many of these dissident factions, such as the Continuity IRA and New IRA, emerged as splinter groups from the Provisional IRA, which itself declared a ceasefire and called an end to violence in 2005. Though smaller than their predecessor, these groups retain access to sophisticated weaponry and have a history of using explosive devices in their campaigns, maintaining a lethal presence despite their reduced scale
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