The RN also patrols the seas around Ireland.
Largely because Irish terrorists are famous for importing ship loads of weapons and explosives, unhindered (and possibly assisted) by Irish security forces...
Concern as New IRA gets weapons from Hezbollah
Security forces believe dissidents 'courting' Middle East group
The security services suspect the New IRA has already imported weapons after forging links with radical groups in the Middle East, it's been reported.
According to the Sunday Times, the dissident group has been "courting Hezbollah" to gain weapons and financing.
The assessment is said to be based on evidence gathered by an MI5 agent, Dennis McFadden, who was exposed last month after spying on dissident republicans for 20 years.
It's reported that security services on both sides of the Irish border now suspect the New IRA has managed to import arms, including mortars and assault rifles, although no such weapons have been recovered during seizures across the island of Ireland.
McFadden, who is a former police constable from Scotland, has since entered a witness protection programme following the arrest of 10 people in Northern Ireland on terrorism-related charges in Operation Arbacia.
It's claimed McFadden managed to establish that dissident republicans were communicating with Hezbollah, a Shia militia supported by Iran, and some Palestinian groups in 2017.
The security services suspect the New IRA has already imported weapons after forging links with radical groups in the Middle East, it's been reported.
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
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