Armed and masked men issue sick threats to 'legitimate targets' in 'sinister' video

The armed members of the so-called "New Republican Movement" made threats against elected officials in Northern Ireland, branding them as "legitimate targets"

Armed and masked men standing in front of an Irish flag issued threats to politicians and "legitimate targets" in what has been branded as a "sinister" video.

In the video, a man wearing a black hoodie, a balaclava and blue surgical gloves read from a script while flanked by two masked men wearing black and carrying firearms. The man said politicians in Newry, Mourne and Down, in Northern Ireland, would be targeted following an increase of migration into the country.

The group, going by the "New Republican Movement" also claimed so-called "sexual indoctrination" of school children was another reason for its existence. The "sinister" video 

It is unclear when and where the video was originally posted, although it was shared last night on social media by the account Real News Eire, which has posted anti-immigrant videos and content. Condemnation was swift from across Northern Ireland's political spectrum following the publication of the threats.

Police Service of Northern Ireland Superintendent Lynne Corbett said: "It is completely unacceptable that anyone should face such threats and intimidation for carrying out the duties of the office to which they have been democratically elected.

We have commenced an investigation to identify those responsible. Police in Newry, Mourne and Down will continue engaging closely with our local elected representatives and will do all we can to ensure they feel supported and safe in our communities, and that they can undertake their role free from intimidation.

Sinn Fein MP Daire Hughes said: "The sinister threats issued by faceless thugs against elected members of Newry, Mourne and Down are an attack on democracy and on the mandate each of us as elected members receives from the public."

SDLP councillor for the mentioned area previously told Peter Byrne on BBC Radio Ulster's The Nolan Show the threats were an "escalation."

"We've had a number of threats around immigration policy in Newry to councillors on Newry, Mourne and Down over the last couple of months and it is deeply worrying," he added. "For me it's a disgraceful attempt to intimidate local representatives who are ordinary people.

"I get that if people disagree with certain decisions of the council, but we live in a democracy, and if you agree with the strength of your argument, we should be able to debate it."

In September, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council said it had among the lowest number of asylum seekers with refugee status in Northern Ireland with less than 40 individuals. It added there were "fewer than 300 asylum seekers in hotel accommodation" within the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area.

There have been fierce protests against asylum seekers across the border in Ireland as well as in the UK. Both peaceful and violent protests have gripped both countries over the past couple of years.