Following the weekend violence and confrontations in Derry and Belfast, the Northern Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, is to meet the RUC Chief Constable, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, to discuss the security situation.
Sadness was voiced by many politicians that the first anniversary of the Omagh bombing, which was marked by ceremonies in Omagh, Buncrana and Dublin, had been marred by violence.
However, Dublin is viewing as significant the condemnation of the violence in Derry by Sinn Fein's chief negotiator, Mr Martin McGuinness, according to informed sources.
Mr McGuinness said that those involved in the rioting in Derry, when more than 130 petrol-bombs were thrown at the security forces, were "wrong".
The Government view is that the Sinn Fein response to the violence in the aftermath of Apprentice Boys' parades in Derry and Belfast underlines the belief that Mr McGuinness and the party president, Mr Gerry Adams, "are working to a constructive agenda".
The degree of Government concern over the apparent involvement of dissident republican elements in orchestrating the clashes with the RUC is understood to be countered by a belief that the main republican leadership is, according to a Government source, "still in the driving seat".
A spokesman for the Taoiseach said last night that Mr Ahern regarded the violence as "disturbing".
There was substantial nationalist criticism of the RUC following the force's removal of protesters from the Lower Ormeau Road to make way for an Apprentice Boys' march on Saturday. The RUC strongly defended its actions and said that 19 officers had been injured. The Lower Ormeau Concerned Community group said that 27 civilians had been injured.
About 300 men and women staged a sit-down protest on the road. They included Sin Fein councillors and other leading Belfast republicans. The RUC read statements asking those blocking the road to move. They refused.
The protesters were singing songs and holding hands when dozens of RUC men in riot gear started to forcibly remove them. There was fierce resistance from many in the crowd, who kicked and spat at police, who in turn retaliated. However, some people who did not resist were struck and kicked by RUC officers. Men and women were dragged from the road by the hair and neck and there was lengthy hand-to-hand fighting between police and protesters.
The violence in Derry, which began on Saturday morning, continued well into the early hours of yesterday. It is estimated that several million pounds worth of damage was caused.
Most of those involved in the Derry violence were young. While many of the incidents were spontaneous, some were orchestrated by known dissident republicans.
The trouble was centred on Waterloo Place, where about 400 people gathered. The Northern Bank, Ulster Bank and First Trust Bank were set alight. Youths drove hijacked cars through shop-fronts and there were numerous looting incidents. A Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet and a discount store in William Street were destroyed by fire. Ten cars and vans were hijacked and set alight.
Police and firefighters came under attack when they tried to deal with the blazing buildings and vehicles.
About 130 petrol-bombs were thrown at the RUC and British army. A further 200 petrol-bombs were recovered by police from the fringes of the Bogside. Masked men were on the streets in various parts of the city.
Ten men and a juvenile appeared at a special court in Limavady yesterday on charges arising out of the Derry disturbances.
Irish officials of the Northern Ireland Secretariat, which monitored the events in Belfast and Derry, are preparing a detailed report for the Government.