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'Surge' in paramilitary shootings 'Surge' in paramilitary shootings
(about 1 hour later)
A surge of so-called paramilitary-style attacks is being carried out by dissident Irish republicans, according to police.A surge of so-called paramilitary-style attacks is being carried out by dissident Irish republicans, according to police.
Punishment shootings in Northern Ireland fell from a peak of 190 in 2001-2002 to seven in 2007/8.Punishment shootings in Northern Ireland fell from a peak of 190 in 2001-2002 to seven in 2007/8.
But 20 attacks were recorded in 2008/9 - mostly in nationalist areas. There were three in the last week.But 20 attacks were recorded in 2008/9 - mostly in nationalist areas. There were three in the last week.
NI's Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde said the number of attacks was "incredibly low compared to seven years ago".NI's Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde said the number of attacks was "incredibly low compared to seven years ago".
The head of the Police Service of Northern Ireland told BBC Radio 4's The Report: "Politically republicanism has moved ever more towards supporting the need for an effective balance and proportionate policing."The head of the Police Service of Northern Ireland told BBC Radio 4's The Report: "Politically republicanism has moved ever more towards supporting the need for an effective balance and proportionate policing."
Sir Hugh said the force was taking the crime seriously, adding: "Punishment shootings indicate that some people have not signed up to the new dispensation of modern Northern Ireland."Sir Hugh said the force was taking the crime seriously, adding: "Punishment shootings indicate that some people have not signed up to the new dispensation of modern Northern Ireland."
In 2002, the majority of paramilitary-style shootings were carried out by loyalist paramilitaries, but in the new wave, 18 out of the 20 attacks recorded in the past year have taken place in nationalist communities. In 2002, the majority of paramilitary-style shootings were carried out by loyalist paramilitaries, but in the new wave, 18 out of the 20 attacks recorded in the past year have taken place in nationalist communities.
To expect them [the nationalist community] to flip over and support the police is too much to ask Jim Auld, Community Restorative Justice Ireland
Groups such as the Continuity IRA and the Real IRA are believed to be involved while another organisation calling itself Oglaigh na hEireann has claimed responsibility for 15 attacks in the past year.Groups such as the Continuity IRA and the Real IRA are believed to be involved while another organisation calling itself Oglaigh na hEireann has claimed responsibility for 15 attacks in the past year.
A doctor who has treated many of the victims at Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital, told the BBC he was again treating similar wounds to those he witnessed during the height of The Troubles.A doctor who has treated many of the victims at Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital, told the BBC he was again treating similar wounds to those he witnessed during the height of The Troubles.
You may not catch them for a punishment shooting, but you can take them out for drug dealing, organised crime, smuggling and all the other issues Sir Hugh Orde, Chief Constable, Police Service of Northern Ireland Why have shootings resumed?
David Kealey, clinical director of fractures at the hospital, said the victims were young males shot with "hand held low velocity" weapons.David Kealey, clinical director of fractures at the hospital, said the victims were young males shot with "hand held low velocity" weapons.
Jim Auld, of the organisation Community Restorative Justice Ireland, said the groups carrying out the attacks had minimal support in the community, but rely on the historic distrust members of the Catholic community have towards the police.Jim Auld, of the organisation Community Restorative Justice Ireland, said the groups carrying out the attacks had minimal support in the community, but rely on the historic distrust members of the Catholic community have towards the police.
Community trustCommunity trust
"To expect them to flip over and support the police is too much to ask," added Mr Auld."To expect them to flip over and support the police is too much to ask," added Mr Auld.
You may not catch them for a punishment shooting, but you can take them out for drug dealing, organised crime, smuggling and all the other issues Sir Hugh Orde, Chief Constable, Police Service of Northern Ireland Why have shootings resumed?
However, one attack victim told the BBC that since he reported the crime to the police there has been little progress in catching the attackers and he has suffered further threats from paramilitaries.However, one attack victim told the BBC that since he reported the crime to the police there has been little progress in catching the attackers and he has suffered further threats from paramilitaries.
Nobody has been charged in his case, but Sir Hugh told the BBC his force was extremely effective at dealing with the perpetrators of punishment shootings.Nobody has been charged in his case, but Sir Hugh told the BBC his force was extremely effective at dealing with the perpetrators of punishment shootings.
"You may not catch them for a punishment shooting, but you can take them out for drug dealing, organised crime, smuggling and all the other issues," he said."You may not catch them for a punishment shooting, but you can take them out for drug dealing, organised crime, smuggling and all the other issues," he said.
The Report broadcasts on BBC Radio 4 on Thursday 9 April at 2000 BST. You can also listen via the BBC iPlayer or download the podcast. The Report broadcasts on BBC Radio 4 on Thursday 9 April at 2000 BST. You can also listen via the BBC iPlayer or download the podcast.