Dissident republicans are demanding protection money from drug dealers and other criminals in Northern Ireland, Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams claimed today.
The West Belfast MP said hard-liners were also targeting innocent families and law abiding businesses in their expanding racket.
His comments come after a number of criminal incidents were linked to dissidents groups in his constituency this week.
On Wednesday night, a 21-year-old man was shot in the legs in a paramilitary style attack while a digger belonging to contractor working on Casement Park was burnt out.
Meanwhile, dissidents continue to target PSNI officers and have been responsible for at least a dozen murder bids in the last 18 months.
Mr Adams accused the groups of tarnishing the republican ideology and called on all fellow nationalists to repudiate their actions and co-operate with the police to bring them to justice.
"There has been an increase in criminal actions by a number of organised criminal gangs who claim to be republican organisations," he said. "The gangs involved are targeting innocent families, business people and in some instances other criminals, in particular drug dealers, demanding protection money.
"Some have also carried out attacks on others who have been involved in domestic or family disputes."
He added: "Their actions are not about furthering the republican goals. On the contrary they tarnish the name of Irish republicanism and seek only to further the self interest of those involved.
"This behaviour is intolerable and it must end. It includes protecting drug pushers by extorting money made through this reprehensible practice; it involves threatening business people and families in this community."
Mr Adams said republicans had a right to hold a view contrary to that of Sinn Fein, but he said they had no right to indulge in such criminal actions.
PA