‘Ring of steel’ around Prince Charles in Ireland
IRA splinter groups and veterans still hold a grudge against the monarchy
London: Security around the Prince of Wales has been stepped up for his visit to Ireland this week amid growing tensions in the region and increased plots by Republican dissidents.
Police and security sources fear former IRA splinter groups and veterans who still hold a grudge against the monarchy could look to target Prince Charles, who is starting a four-day visit tomorrow (Tuesday).
The tour includes a historic first official visit by the Prince to Mullaghmore, Co Sligo, where his great-uncle Earl Mountbatten was killed by an IRA bomb in 1979. Last week, police found guns and explosive materials in a series of raids close to where
Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall will be visiting. Among those arrested was a veteran dissident who was one of the founding members of the Real IRA, which has continued the violent Republican cause. Ahead of the visit, MI5 has been closely monitoring all known dissidents while extra police patrols have already been stepped up around County Sligo.
One Irish police source said there would be a “ring of steel around Prince Charles”. Sources are concerned that at a time of increasing activity among dissident groups, there might be a desire for a high profile attack either against the heir to the throne or to coincide with his visit.
Republican plots are currently running at more than 100 a year. Andrew Parker, the director general of MI5, disclosed earlier this year that 20 attacks were carried out in Northern Ireland in 2014 but that for every incident, his agency and the police had foiled up to four more.
One Whitehall source said: “It is busy over there, although the capability is not what it once was. Prince Charles would be a target for some, although there is also the danger of someone looking to stage an attack elsewhere where security is not as tight but to coincide with the visit.”
The royal visit will take in both the Republic and Northern Ireland and police on both sides of the border have held urgent meetings over security.
