Allister responds to latest Republican Attack
22 October 2009
TUV leader Jim Allister has responded to a bomb attack on Ashfield Crescent TA base.
“Today’s bomb attack is the latest manifestation of an upsurge in Republican terrorism following on, as it does, from a spate of death threats and last week’s bomb attack in East Belfast.
“It is only a matter of time before someone is killed. I would call upon the security forces to take robust action.
“Those who saw Tuesday night’s edition of Spotlight will doubtless be disturbed by the fact that a number of police officers commented that they felt inadequately trained and equipped to deal with the threat posed by terrorism. More disturbing still was the suggestion that the police are using civilian rather than military helicopters in Republican areas of Northern Ireland for fear of offending the sensitivities of Sinn Fein/IRA.
“Doubtless there will be those who will say that today’s events underscore more than ever the need to press ahead with the devolution of policing and justice. Nothing could be further from the truth. You don’t defy terrorism in Northern Ireland by giving yet more powers and responsibilities to a terrorist inclusive executive.”
