by John Coulter
SINN FEIN and Unionist politicians have been advised to beef up their personal security in the wake of the dissident republican killings of two soldiers and a police officer.
According to a well-placed source within the former Official Republican Movement, the dissident Real IRA is now targeting Sinn Fein leaders Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness.
The ex-Workers Party source said: “Adams and McGuinness have now become key targets for the Real IRA – Adams because of Sinn Fein’s political peace strategy; McGuinness because he called dissidents ‘traitors’ and appeared in a photo call with Hugh Orde.”
He added: “Ironically, the killing of either Sinn Fein leader would give them Michael Collins icon status within republicanism.”
The threat to Sinn Fein leaders from the Real IRA comes as a number of Unionist politicians were also advised to step up their personal security while travelling to Stormont and at their homes.
One senior Unionist said: “A number of MLAs have been told their lives may be at risk from dissident republicans. This will probably result in a number of politicians having to be issued with firearms, and varying their routes to and from the Assembly.
“The dissidents have already killed soldiers and a police officer. I believe these attacks will continue because, in spite of the mass protests around Northern Ireland against these terrorist criminals, their ultimate aim is to bring down the Assembly and spark a sectarian civil war.”
