Unofficial activity and monitoring of border areas by PIRA is totally unacceptable – Coghlan

Fine Gael Senator and Government Chief Whip in the Seanad, Paul Coghlan, has commented on the independent review of republican and loyalist paramilitary groups published by the British Government, saying that An Garda Síochána and the PSNI must be the only forces policing border counties.

Speaking in the Seanad, Senator Coghlan said:

“Both of the reports published yesterday, one by the PSNI/MI5 and the other by An Garda Síochána, confirm that the PIRA still exists, though not for terrorist purposes.

“However, there are real concerns in relation to policing in border areas, particularly around South Armagh.

“There are extremely worrying reports that Alert Type signs, common in all parts of the country, are in that border area, connecting callers to local PIRA members, if they have any difficulties in the community.

“Criminals in this area are operating fiefdoms totally separate from the PSNI and the Gardaí. In this modern, democratic society, there can be only one police force and that is the PSNI north of the border and the Gardaí in the Republic.

“I wish all those taking part in the Stormont talks the very best. It is vital that agreement is reached to continue power-sharing and for governance in Northern Ireland to move forward. However, it must also be a priority to crack down on criminal activity along the border and I know this is a priority for the Minister for Justice, Frances Fitzgerald and both policing authorities.”