The assessment was carried out by intelligence services for the former NI secretary of state Theresa Villiers – and outlines the threat posed by, and activities of, terrorist groups in Northern Ireland . Advertisement Advertisement It says that the structures of the Provisional IRA remain in existence – including the so-called Army Council (PAC) and some “departments with specific responsibilities”. Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to NorthernIrelandWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.
The PSNI told the BBC’s Nolan Show on Friday that the assessment “has not changed”. It says “PIRA members believe that the PAC oversees both PIRA and Sinn Fein with an overarching strategy. We judge this strategy has a wholly political focus”.
However, it says some IRA members are involved intelligence gathering and attempts to uncover intelligence sources. Others are “involved in the storage of remaining weaponry” – as well as “criminal activity such as large scale smuggling”. It adds that the PIRA leadership is committed to obtaining a united Ireland “by political means”.
Advertisement Advertisement Ulster Unionist justice spokesperson Doug Beattie told the BBC’s Nolan Show that “intelligence gathering is not for peaceful means”. The Upper Bann MLA said: “We need to find out what they’re intelligence gathering for..
. and they say they’re storing weapons. Why are they storing weapons? That is not for pe.