Brexit may pull pin on New threat

SECURITY was tight for British Prime Minister Theresa May’s visit to the North last week, as you would expect.

However, hearing the PSNI is on red alert over a new breed of terrorist thug came as something of a surprise.

The New IRA now has between 200 and 250 gun-toting disciples hell-bent on derailing the peace process.

Security experts are taking the threat of violence seriously and warn this wave of paramilitaries has the potential to be lethal.

They are not recognised in the same way as the old guard they seek to emulate, and they are harder to pin down.

There was a heavy presence of PSNI, MI5 and gardai along the border counties for Mrs May’s visit on Thursday and Friday.

The New IRA is believed to have been responsible for much of the violence and disorder this month in Derry, and is actively recruiting.

Its members have carried out 24 punishment shootings already this year and they are armed with AK47S, handguns and revolvers.

They also have a deadly arsenal of blast bombs and improvised hand grenades.

Sources fear this terrifying fusion of the old and new could prove lethal in the North.

Uncertainty over Brexit and the Assembly already have people on edge as tensions mount.

This could light the fuse.