Tri-Service

27 Paramilitary-Style Attacks In Northern Ireland This Year

There have been 27 paramilitary-style attacks in Northern Ireland so far this year, the Government has revealed.

The threat level from terrorism related to the country was raised from moderate to substantial in May, meaning a strike against the mainland is a “strong possibility”.

Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers said dissidents had been found with guns and bomb-making equipment and are intending to target officers in the PSNI.

She said: "So far this year, the PSNI have recovered terrorist items including firearms, ammunition and bomb making equipment.

"There have been 59 arrests, of which eight individuals have been charged for terrorist related offences.”

"The lethal nature of the threat posed by terrorist groupings was demonstrated in March when prison officer Adrian Ismay died as a consequence of injuries he sustained when an improvised explosive device functioned under his vehicle as he left his Belfast home for work.”

Ms Villiers said republican and loyalist organisations conduct “brutal” criminal attacks as they attempt to exert control over their communities.

Three of the 27 attacks between January and May this year were fatal.

She warned that “further potentially lethal attacks were highly likely” and stressed that tackling terrorism was the “highest priority” for the government.

Cover Image: Belfast. Courtesy: Fattonyni