A PSNI operation into sinister threats made to Newry, Mourne and Down councillors by the ‘New Republican Movement’ is currently under way.
It is understood, through a council source, that a live search is being conducted by the PSNI on January 13, with a potential arrest made in the Whitecross area of south Armagh.
The LDRS has previously reported on audio messages being sent to a number of elected members of Sinn Fein, Alliance and the SDLP identifying them as “legitimate targets”.
A failed pipe bomb attack was carried out at Sinn Fein office in Monaghan Street, Newry in the same month.
A video threat in December 2025 was also made by three armed and masked men in front of an Irish flag, in a video circulating on social media.
One of them read a statement which said the area’s assembly members and councillors were considered targets because of “policies” around immigration.
The video threats purport to come from a previously unheard of group calling itself the “New Republican Movement”.
The PSNI has been contacted for comment.
