Irish Defence Forces praised

It also notes the Smithwick Tribunal’s review of the murder of RUC Chief Superintendent Harry Breen and RUC Superintendent Robert Buchanan - from Bready - on March 20, 1989.

The report - which was presented to US Secretary of State John Kerry earlier this year and published in May 2013 - notes in its strategic assessment that “in Northern Ireland, dissident Republican groups continued their campaigns of violence.”

Notwithstanding this assessment it also notes that “the British Security Service downgraded the threat to Great Britain from dissident Irish republicans from ‘substantial’ to ‘moderate’” on October 24 last. “The decrease shows the authorities regard an attack on London and other British cities from such groups as possible, but not likely,” it says.

This was an improvement on the previous position when an attack in Britain was deemed a “strong possibility.” However, the report notes the threat level in Northern Ireland remained ‘severe’ with an attack still highly likely.

In reference to the Irish Republic the report says “the US and Ireland collaborated closely on counterterrorism, law enforcement, and information-sharing.”

“In 2012, as was the case in 2010 and 2011, there were incidents by dissident republican groups in Ireland, generally targeting other republican factions and often involving criminal activity,” the report explains.

“Some violent actions committed in neighboring Northern Ireland by members of dissident groups were traced back to support provided by persons living in Ireland.

“The immediate targets of violence were law enforcement personnel and the security structures of Northern Ireland in an attempt to disrupt the ongoing post-peace process community rehabilitation efforts. Irish authorities handle these legacy issues stemming from ‘The Troubles,’ and are actively involved in dealing with transnational terrorism issues,” it adds.

By New Year’s Eve last year the southern authorities had disarmed and analysed 96 viable improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

On May Day 2012, “Garda and Army Disposal experts neutralised a live 45-pound IED found in Phoenix Park near the residences of the US Ambassador and the Irish President. The location of the IED was only one mile from Garda headquarters.”

It also refers to the murder of David Black last autumn saying: “A Dublin-based alliance of dissident republican splinter groups claimed responsibility for his murder.”

The report also refers to the life imprisonment of Strabane man Martin Kelly for involvment in the murder of Andrew Burns in 2008. Mr Burns was driven across the border near Strabane and shot dead. “The murder was linked to the dissident republican group, Óglaigh na hÉireann,” the report says.