Anti-terrorist police on both sides of the Irish Sea are on alert for a possible bomb attack in England by dissident republicans opposed to the Belfast Agreement.
According to security sources, the dissidents, who have carried out some 20 attacks so far this year, are planning a new attack in England. It is understood the Garda has received information about an attempt to smuggle a bomb into England.
The suspected group, known as the "Real IRA", has carried out three attacks in London this year, including two small bombs at Hammersmith Bridge on June 1st and Acton tube station on July 19th, and a rocket attack on the headquarters of the British foreign secret service, MI6, on September 21st.
In the past week Scotland Yard has alerted store owners, rail companies and water and electricity firms about a possible renewed bombing campaign by dissident republicans.
The Metropolitan Police say a small number of dissident republicans are believed to be operating in England and are expected to step up their terror campaign.
Last week, Metropolitan antiterrorist officers briefed representatives from shops, transport networks and utilities to be on the alert for dangerous packages and bomb threats. Assistant commissioner Mr David Veness said there had been more than 50 bomb threats from dissident republicans since December.
He said dissident republicans possessed weapons including home-made and manufactured explosives, incendiary devices and battlefield weapons from Eastern Europe.
"The most worrying form of attack, and it brings back the spectre of Omagh, is a large vehicle bomb in a city centre with all the butchery that unfolds in such an attack."
Police have already intercepted one car-bomb that was being smuggled from the Republic to Britain.
This year the "Real IRA" has carried out 18 attacks in Northern Ireland involving bomb and mortar attacks on security forces.
The attacks have as yet to claim any lives. Security sources said the group, which was responsible for the murders of 29 people in the Omagh bombing of August 15th, 1998, has been careful so far to avoid civilian casualties. However, it is feared the group is now stepping up its campaign and this could lead to casualties.
The group is in conflict with the pro-agreement Provisional IRA and tensions between the two led to the Provisional IRA shooting dead the "Real IRA" leader in west Belfast, Joseph O'Connor, on October 13th.