Intelligence officials have issued a warning that the New IRA is planning a wave of violence intended to force migrants out of Ireland. Experts fear the group will capitalise on "tensions" in their quest for a "united Ireland".
Exploiting Public Anxieties
Security insiders revealed the group is exploiting public anxieties following the stabbing of Stephen Oilvie last month, allegedly by a Sudanese asylum seeker. The incident sparked riots in Belfast.
Last week, a video surfaced on social media featuring an unidentified man issuing a chilling warning that the IRA would resort to violence to drive migrants out of Ireland. He stated: "They will take control, and they will give an ultimatum, not to politicians but to the illegal migrants who are in the country."
Threats of Civil War
The man further claimed that the British Army "respected" the IRA during the Troubles due to their effectiveness and "professionalism". He added: "It is now going to be time for civil war, and that is exactly what these guys are going to be doing and can you blame them?"
He continued: "This will be a major wake-up call for the authorities. These guys will show them how it's done and give them 24 hours to leave."
Source Discloses Group's Aims
A source disclosed to the Daily Mail: "The New IRA have been very active this year in the North in attacks against the Police Service of Northern Ireland, at Lurgan police station and a car bomb at Dunmurry. They have two aims: Irish independence and all migrants out."
The source added: "We believe it is part of a power struggle going on between factions within the group of the old IRA, the Real and the New IRA, with the new incarnations advocating a campaign of violent intimidation."
Government Response
A spokesperson for the Home Office stated: "We have a close and collaborative working relationship with Ireland on migration and border security," reports the Express. "This includes a mutual commitment to protect the Common Travel Area from abuse, delivered through joint work to identify and tackle migration trends as they emerge."
The development comes after a major rescue operation in the English Channel after a large dinghy believed to be carrying 157 migrants caught fire on August 4. British and French coastguard teams alongside the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) Eastbourne were deployed after the incident was reported around 6am.
A Coastguard spokesman said: "A vessel caught fire earlier this morning whilst in the French search and rescue region. UK vessels and a lifeboat are assisting."
During a recent visit to Dover, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he wanted to "grip" the issue of small boat arrivals rather than "play politics" with it. He said: "The public don't like the idea that the border looks like it's not controlled."
The PM added: "We need to bring back that control, but also we need to offer support for people who genuinely need it. Slowly but surely we are putting in place those building blocks of a very different approach to this issue. It's working, but there's more to be done."
