Terrorists dismissed as 'cowards' after threats
MASKED RIRA terrorists who made murder threats were dismissed as "cowards" by political leaders yesterday.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore also hit out at threats issued by the dissidents to kill more PSNI officers and oppose Queen Elizabeth's visit to Ireland.
Mr Kenny said the threats from the Real IRA at a rally in Derry were "coming from a mentality warped in its intent".
He said the people of Ireland, North and South, had voted overwhelmingly for peace and he was confident the queen would receive a warm welcome here next month.
Chilling
Mr Gilmore said the chilling threats from the RIRA were "disgusting" and "menacing" and had no place in the Ireland of today.
The hard-hitting comments from the Taoiseach and Tanaiste followed a statement from a masked RIRA man at the 32 County Sovereignty Movement 1916 commemoration in Derry on Monday.
The North's Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness condemned those trying to destabilise the peace process as "cowards who are afraid to face the electorate".
Mr McGuinness said: "It's clear from the comments that they see Sinn Fein and all the other political parties on this island, the Catholic Church and the GAA and indeed Protestant churches, as the enemy."
- ine Kerr and Tom Shiel
Irish Independent
