Why a new warning about the terror attacks in Northern Ireland should come as no surprise

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Northern Ireland Police warning about threat posed by dissident republicans during Good Friday Agreement commemorations follows similar alerts about d 'possible attacks.

MI5 has raised the terror threat level in Northern Ireland to 'severe' - meaning attacks are very likely - after a police officer and other attempted murders, and on the 25th anniversary of the landmark deal that ended 30 years of The Troubles Are Coming.

Police Chief Simon Byrne gave a fairly accurate account to the Police Council of Northern Ireland on where the violence could take place (Derry), when (Easter Monday) and what could unfold - street protests which could be used as cover to attract officers in ambushes. Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton said: 'We have very strong community intelligence on this', adding: 'We will be prepared for all eventualities on Monday.

The Police Service of Ireland du Nord has activated Operation Inspire, a contingency plan to counter large-scale public order challenges, which involves a heavy presence on the streets and surveillance of suspects. Around 350 officers from different parts of the UK are to reinforce the force.

Sinn Fein police spokesman Gerry Kelly acknowledged the threat from the dissidents but insisted that '"This is a small number of people determined to reverse the peace process, the political process, and all for no good reason. The vast majority of people in the North, in Ireland and elsewhere, are absolutely against them, so they have no base of support."

The coming days, however, will provide an opportunity for the breakaway militia to attempt an operation, international attention on Northern Ireland guaranteeing wide publicity.

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