Northern Ireland' Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has said he was contacted by a senior PSNI officer last night and informed of "a real and active threat against his life" from a dissident group in Derry.
Mr McGuinness said: ?Last night I was visited at home by the PSNI who informed me of a real and active threat against me from a dissident group in Derry. They linked the threat to my condemnation of the recent attempted mortar attack in the city and other remarks made in support of the PSNI."
Mr McGuinness said he was taking the threat seriously but added he would "not be silenced by threats like this".
"I will defend the peace process from attack from whatever quarter, be it these groups or the loyalist flag protesters over recent months," Mr McGuinness said in a statement.
?It says much about the mentality of those running groups like the one behind the threat that in their warped logic threatening Irish Republicans and their families somehow advances the cause of Irish reunification.
?I am very sure of the ground I stand on. I am also very sure that it is the path shared by Republicans across this island genuinely interested in building a new agreed Ireland, Republicans who put Ireland before ego, criminality and self gain.?