At a news conference in Belfast, Republican Sinn Fein's publicity director, Derry man Richard Walsh, said Irish people had the right to use "any level of controlled and disciplined force to drive the British out of Ireland."

Republican Sinn Fein is reported to be the political wing of the Continuity IRA which admitted the recent killing of police constable Stephen Carroll.

At the press conference, Mr Walsh also complained about the length of the detention of suspects at Antrim police station and responded to the Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness' description of those behind the recent killings as "traitors to the people of Ireland" by saying Mr McGuinness and Gerry Adams had been guilty of "severe treachery".

"We have always upheld the rights to the Irish people to use any level of controlled and disciplined force to drive the British out of Ireland. We make no apology for that," he said.

Regrettable
While admitting the deaths of soldiers Patrick Azimkar and Mark Quinsey and constable Stephen Carroll were "regrettable", Mr Walsh said dissident republicans made no apology for "defending" themselves.
"The reality is that when you have occupation within a country there is invariably resistance, including armed resistance," he added.

DUP MLA Jimmy Spratt - a former Police Federation spokesman - branded the remarks as "absolutely disgraceful".

He added: "We will be asking the chief constable to investigate these remarks for incitement to hatred. It was also noted that this group, made of individuals we know little or nothing about, appears to have offices in west Belfast."