NORTHERN Ireland has been put on terrorist alert for the QueenÂ’s visit later this month. Police have stepped up security not only because of the threat from dissident republicans but amid concern over an increase in suspected Al Qaeda activity in Ireland. It is feared that the two groups may be sharing expertise.Police have set up checkpoints on routes from the republic into Northern Ireland ahead of the Maundy Thursday service on March 20 in Armagh which the Queen will attend. Cars and lorries have been stopped and searched along a number of main routes, including the 100-mile-long Dublin to Belfast road.
The royal visit comes just 24 hours before the 10th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement which brought peace to the troubled province. The heightened security follows a warning by Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde that groups such as the Real IRA intend to cause “much damage” to the peace process. It also coincides with an announcement by Interpol last week that it is hunting two Al Qaeda terrorists believed to be on the run in Ireland.