Dissident Irish Republicans at the centre of a weekend of chaos on Scotland’s streets fear they have been infiltrated by undercover police and British spies.
The Friends of the Irish Republican Prisoners Welfare Association warned activists that they believed plain clothes officers and military intelligence were trying to slip into their ranks.
The group - which reportedly has ties to Saoradh, the group linked to the murder of journalist Lyra McKee, 29, in Londonderry last year - told members to film their encounters with any ‘spooks’.
They said: “Over the past number of weeks people in Scotland have been approached by Special Branch and MI5 looking for information on Republicans.
"Anyone who finds themselves approached by these thugs, please let someone know.
“Go public. If possible, video them. Remember by not telling anyone, you are leaving yourself vulnerable to them.”
The news comes as the due to fears of further sectarian disorder. Jim McHarg, Grand Master of the Orange Lodge, said the move was “illegal” and called for protests outside the City Chambers on Saturday.
Four Loyalist parades and an Irish Republican march planned for this weekend were banned by the council. It follows serious trouble at similar events over the past two weekends.
The decision was taken by an urgently arranged meeting of Glasgow City Council’s public processions committee. Glasgow braces itself for 14 marches this month alone.
Republican group Cairde na hÉireann marched to the La Pasionaria statue on the Clydeside on Saturday. The Friends of the Irish Republican Prisoners Welfare Association - held a separate march the same day.
Glasgow was thrown into chaos by the marches, despite a police operation. A boy of 14 was held by police in relation to the disturbances. An officer was hit by a flare thrown by one of the marchers or protesters.
The previous weekend there were shameful scenes in Govan as Loyalist protesters clashed with Republican marchers.
