IRISH TERROR PLAN

Splinter cells determined to destroy the peace process are reported to have finalised plans for a random bombing campaign as they step up attempts to disrupt the “normalisation” inside the province.

Last night a security forces source confirmed they had received intelligence containing a reference to a “big bang” before the end of the year.

The threat is considered serious and security teams have been alerted in all major towns.

It comes as tensions mount over the acquittal of Sean Hoey, 38 – the only suspect to be tried for for the murder of 29 people in the 1998 Omagh bombing.

Last month the Independent Monitoring Commission, which reports on terrorist activity, revealed that dissident republicans were responsible for a bomb attack on a police station in Strabane, Co Tyrone.

The commission described the Continuity IRA as “active, dangerous and committed” and said it was responsible for at least two paramilitary murders in Northern Ireland this year.