'The people of Ireland have moved on. This is not 1969, 1980 or the 1990s.'

THE former Officer Commanding the IRA prisoners in Long Kesh says that the small groups planting real or hoax bombs need to “wise up” and end their activities.

Fermanagh/South Tyrone Sinn Féin MLA Seán Lynch (pictured) was speaking after a suspect device was reported this week on the main Lisnaskea to Roslea road at Donagh.

Seán was also critical of the response of the PSNI, accusing police commanders of putting people’s lives at risk by allowing them to travel past possible bombs.

“I understand the PSNI’s need to be cautious when approaching such reports but to allow people just to travel past the suspect device is irresponsible. The PSNI have a duty to protect the public and their failure in this incident to observe that does not instill confidence amongst the local population.”

Turning to those who planted the device, he said:

“Whoever is leaving these devices, whether real or hoaxes, need to wise up. They obviously haven’t got the courage to tell the people why they are doing it and how it is going to advance a united Ireland in 2013.

“The people of Ireland have moved on. This is not 1969, 1980 or the 1990s. Militarism for the sake of militarism was never part of republicanism but clearly these people believe that it is. They are deluded, self-serving and need to wise up.”