'No IRA, No Police - Where Do We Go From Here?'

Derry Journal:

Dissident Republicans in Derry have claimed that they have been inundated with people requesting help with anti-social elements following last week's IRA announcement that they are ending all activity.

According to the dissident sources, they have had so many appeals from various communities in the city that they simply cannot handle all the requests. It is thought that people are unsure of where to go now to seek help after the IRA statement.

Fears have been expressed by individuals and groups as to who will deal with anti-social elements in the wake of the ending of all IRA activity.

One caller to the 'Journal' on Wednesday, who was complaining bitterly about a gang of youths drinking and threatening people in the Rosemount area, said: "For years one of the ways that some of these thugs were kept in line was by the threat of the IRA dealing with them.

"In most cases the threat was usually enough but what happens now? I have heard that some people have been told by Sinn Fein that there is nothing they can do about this sort of problem so where do we go from here?

"We have a police force that most people in our community simply will not turn to in time of need and if the truth be told it appears that the PSNI are simply not interested in dealing with the type of problems we face."

Despite the widespread welcome for last week's statement many community groups are seriously concerned that they will be unable to deal with anti-social elements in the policing vacuum that now exists.

One important reason why the IRA was necessary in the north of Ireland for all these years.