For the First Time in 12 Years, Northern Ireland Lowers Terrorism Level
The level was lowered from severe to substantial, meaning that "a terrorist attack is likely and might well occur without further warning." Investigators say they are doing all they can to stop the small group of people who are "intent on causing harm and dragging Northern Ireland back to the past."
Landwebs
MI5, the UK’s intelligence agency, has lowered the terrorism threat level in Northern Ireland from severe to substantial, meaning that a terrorist attack is likely and might well occur without further warning, for the first time in 12 years, a decision that was made independent of the government and that is subject to continuous review, reports The Guardian. Dissident republican terrorist activity has been at a lower level in Northern Ireland in recent years and security services have secured a number of successes disrupting the activities of the terrorist organizations. The PSNI chief constable, Simon Byrne, welcomed the reduction in the terrorism threat level, stating that it signaled the successes of police in preventing attacks. “Unfortunately, there is still a small group of people within our society who are intent on causing harm and dragging Northern Ireland back to the past. We will continue to pursue those individuals and bring them before the courts,” said Byrne.
