Turgon must be out at church or somewhere, otherwise he would have leapt on this leaked report.
Parts of south Fermanagh are now considered no-go areas for PSNI patrols because of the CIRA which has established a stronghold in certain areas, said a security source. As a result, there is no effective policing of villages like Roslea, Lisnaskea, Newtownbutler and Donagh in Fermanagh. Police patrols that venture into these areas are likely to be attacked. There is no doubt that the CIRA has established itself in these villages. In fact, they are the only republican paramilitary group active in these areas and they have some local support, which makes conducting surveillance on key suspects almost impossible.
A dangerous low intensity struggle is going on which probably has yet to peak. Whatever your political views, this simply must not be allowed to last. The unnamed security source is ridiculously negative. Public support is essential we know that, but the shadow of the past mustnt allow the situation to fester. If they “know” people, they can act eventually. The PSNI and the local policing partnership have got to show their mettle. Experience of the Troubles shows how sensitively the police need to handle the situation. Remember that even in the days of the old Stormont, the border campaign of the late 50s was defeated not mainly by the RUC and the B Specials but by the will of the Catholic community. Lets hope the older pattern repeats itself and that the a new political order proves its worth. BTW if they know so much about the dissidents why dont they lay off Suzanne Breen? Update Thanks to pigeon toes ( interesting self image, that) for noting it below, its worth highlighting Henry McDonald’s report that MI5 are setting side £40 million to tackle dissident republicans in Fermanagh and elsewhere. Let’s hope the info was dropped as evidence of real activity. The Abbas Boutrab report is gen , as Pete noted four years ago.
Former BBC journalist and manager in Belfast, Manchester and London, Editor Spolight; Political Editor BBC NI; Current Affairs Commissioning editor BBC Radio 4; Editor Political and Parliamentary Programmes, BBC Westminster; former London Editor Belfast Telegraph. Hon Senior Research Fellow, The Constitution Unit, Univ Coll. London