The Provisional IRA has visited dissident republicans in the North, according to dissident sources who said that a gun was produced in one incident. They said tensions were running high among republicans along the Border following the visits.
The sources said 12 homes were visited in Co Tyrone and south Armagh a fortnight ago by men who said they were from the Provisional IRA. They questioned those they visited about dissident republican groups and their criticisms of the Sinn Fein leadership.
"They put a gun to the head of one man," one source said, "and told him he was on probation and he had better behave himself as they would be watching him." In September, the Provisional IRA visited 60 dissidents on both sides of the Border and told them "action would be taken" unless the "Real IRA" disbanded. It has since called a ceasefire but is refusing to disband. Provisional IRA sources last night refused to comment on the reported visits.