The Sinn Fein leadership was accused today by hardline republicans in the Continuity IRA of betraying the goal of an Irish Republic to placate the Rev Ian Paisley.
Their annual Easter statement said: "This year many of us will assemble [at 1916 Easter Rising commemorations] with a heavy heart, following the further betrayal of the all-Ireland republic by former comrades who have taken yet another step in treachery with their recognition of the PSNI/RUC, and their further acceptance and administering of British rule in the occupied six northern counties (Northern Ireland).
"True republicans will have watched with horror the antics and political posturing of the Provisional leadership over the last 12 months in their attempts to placate militant Paisleyism and their eagerness to hold a special ard fheis (party conference) to rush through a motion to support the armed wing of the British oppressor.
"The true republican leadership will never compromise and will never accept British rule in any part of our country."
The Continuity IRA also denied it had any involvement in criminality, claiming there had been attempts to besmirch its name by associating it with drugs and recent murders in Belfast.
"The leadership of the Continuity Irish Republican Army has already categorically denied involvement in any of this activity and reiterates it once more in this statement," it said.
"Due to the treachery of others our struggle faces greater obstacles than before but this leadership is aware that there has always been a significant body of opinion in Ireland opposed to British rule.
"The task of the Republican Movement in the immediate future is to organise, harness and lead that support in opposition to foreign rule and British imperialism."