Republican terrorists within the New IRA are reportedly planning a campaign of violence aimed at driving migrants out of Ireland, according to intelligence officials.
The dissident republican group, a successor to the Real IRA, is allegedly capitalizing on local community tensions that have surfaced following recent disturbances in Northern Ireland. These tensions were exacerbated by an incident in June involving the alleged stabbing of Stephen Ogilvie by Hadi Alodid, a Sudanese asylum-seeker.
Security sources suggest that the New IRA, which continues its pursuit of a united Ireland, is leveraging community anger over a perceived increase in harassment, sexual assault, and violence attributed to migrants. This alleged surge in incidents has raised concerns that the group's actions could lead to a new wave of migrants fleeing Ireland, potentially entering the UK via the land border with Northern Ireland.
A video circulating on a far-right social media platform reportedly features an unidentified man issuing threats of violence against migrants, urging them to leave Ireland. The individual in the video allegedly stated that the IRA would issue an ultimatum to "illegal migrants" and claimed that the group would demonstrate a more effective approach than authorities, giving migrants 24 hours to depart.
The New IRA is a merger of the Real IRA, formed in 1997 by former Provisional IRA members, and the vigilante group Republican Action Against Drugs in 2012. The group has reportedly forged alliances with Scottish nationalist groups in Glasgow, who promote the organization through social media.
Recent activities attributed to the New IRA include attacks on the Police Service of Northern Ireland, such as an incident at Lurgan police station and a car bombing in Dunmurry earlier this year. Officials believe the group's dual objectives are Irish independence and the expulsion of all migrants.
There are also reports of increased dissident republican activity in the Republic of Ireland. In July, a 25-year-old law student was charged with explosives possession after a bomb was found in a car during an operation targeting such activities. The defense claimed the student was unaware of the bag's contents when asked to transport it to Northern Ireland.
Many communities across Ireland have voiced concerns that the national government has not adequately addressed the strain on housing, public services, and societal structures resulting from high levels of migration.
A Home Office spokesperson stated that the UK maintains a close working relationship with Ireland on migration and border security, including a commitment to protect the Common Travel Area from abuse through joint efforts to identify and address emerging migration trends.