THE NEW IRA are threatening Sinn Fein party members with car bomb attacks according to the Vice President of the party Michelle O'Neill.
She claims that the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) informed her of the plans, which O'Neill insists is a direct threat to every Sinn Fein member as well as the members of their families, before urging them all to be "very vigilant".
"Following the recent launch of a PSNI recruitment campaign, police have told Sinn Fein tonight that persons aligned with the dissident Republican group, the so-called New IRA, plan to attack a Sinn Fein member using an under car explosive device," she told reporters on Monday.
"We have been told this planned attack could happen anywhere in the north.
"This is not the first time this particular group have made threats against Sinn Fein members and the PSNI is taking this threat very seriously.
Michelle O’Neill"I am urging the party’s members to be very vigilant at this time."
Ms O'Neill later stressed that her party wouldn't be deterred from their objective of a united Ireland, despite the "disgraceful" threat.
"This latest threat shows once again that these groups are in conflict with their own community," she added.
"This dangerous and disgraceful threat comes at a time when the debate on Irish unity is centre stage.
"And the response of these so-called republicans is to plan attacks on Sinn Fein members.
"We will continue to represent the people in government and in communities the length and breadth of Ireland, driving the agenda for change which has been backed by more than 700,000 voters across this island.
"This armed group must withdraw its threat immediately. There is no room for the existence of armed groups. They should disband."
