Slieve Croob Ulster Unionist Councillor, Alan Lewis has called for a focused and properly resourced PSNI investigation into republican terrorist activity in South Down.
Mr Lewis said:
“It is unacceptable and worrying that mortar components have been found within miles of each other, in close proximity to Ballykinlar barracks. The discovery of the mortar bomb on Thursday should concern every law abiding citizen of South Down and beyond. This isn`t an isolated incident and is yet another indication of republican terrorist activity in the South Down area.
“I will be meeting with the PSNI next week to raise the concerns of the local community at the increased level of republican terrorist activity in South Down. I believe that there is a clear need for an increase in police patrols within the area and increased vigilance from the public. I hope that the Chief Constable will be able to ensure that local police commanders have adequate resources made available so they can go after the terrorists.
“These republican criminals are attempting to hold our community to ransom and I would like to see a focused and properly resourced PSNI investigation into their activities to disrupt and take down their structures before they murder or seriously injure anyone. Terrorism will always find a situation to exploit, whether it is Brexit or the constitutional position of our country, but absolutely none of that should be an excuse.”