London, Thanasis Gavos

From “severe” to “important” Increased the level of the terrorist threat in Northern Ireland; which means that a hit is now considered not just “probable”, but “extremely likely.”

The move reflects concerns raised by increasingly frequent attacks by paramilitary organizations.

The security risk upgrade was announced in a written statement to the House of Commons by Northern Ireland Minister Chris Heaton-Harris.

As he informed, it is about decision of the MI5 security service taken independently of the government.

“The public should remain vigilant but not alarmed and continue to report any concerns they have to the Police Service of Northern Ireland.” added the minister.

He also noted that while Northern Ireland has now transformed into a peaceful society after the Troubles of past decades, “a small number of people remain determined to harm our communities through acts of politically motivated violence.”

Mr. Heaton-Harris singled out attacks on police officers, with particular reference to the shooting injury of Officer John Caldwell a month ago in the city of Omaha, who is in critical but stable condition.

The upgrade in the terror threat comes after months of political turmoil over backlash over the Northern Ireland Protocol to the Brexit deal, which the Sunak government and the EU have agreed to replace with the Windsor Framework. However, devolved executive and legislative power in Belfast remains suspended after the departure of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).

It also comes two weeks before the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday peace accord and talk of a possible visit by US President Joe Biden to the region to mark that anniversary.