PSNI Chief concerned over dissident republican threat to UK City of Culture in Derry

The Chief Constable of the PSNI has said he is “very concerned” about the threat dissident republicans may pose to next year’s UK City of Culture in Derry.
The Real IRA has already carried out a number of attacks linked to Derry’s year as UK City of Culture.
Matt Baggott said the dissident threat is an issue that is “ever present.”
He said he was very concerned about dissidents because of what attacks they’d already carried out in Derry.
He said in spite of the fact that 99% of the city is looking forward to this great year, dissidents were impervious to persuasion or conscience.
And Mr Baggott said money that is being diverted into tackling dissident republican activity could be better spent.
He said it could be spent t on hospitals and schools, and other things to support the community.
The meeting in Derry this week between community representatives and the Chief Constable was hosted by Derry priest Fr Michael Canny.
Fr Canny said dissident republicans will not be allowed to drag Northern Ireland back to the past.