The Australian government has issued a travel warning for Northern Ireland following three bomb attacks this month.
Two bombs were defused in Co Down on August 4th and 8th and a car bomb exploded outside a police station in Derry on the 3rd.
Australian travellers to the North are being warned of an increase in dissident activity, with visitors advised to avoid protests and demonstrations “as they may turn violent”.
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade warned citizens of bomb attacks aimed at police and military targets saying: “Australians could inadvertently be caught up in violence directed at others."
The department also advised Australians to “avoid all protests and demonstrations as they may turn violent”.
The United States Bureau of Consular Affairs said: “US citizens travelling to Northern Ireland should remain alert to their surroundings and should be aware that if they choose to visit potential flashpoints or attend parades, sporadic violence remains a possibility."
The department warned travellers that demonstrations intended to be peaceful could turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence.
“US citizens are therefore urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations if possible and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations."
The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also warned its citizens about travelling to Northern Ireland saying the annual parades which occur during the period of April to August “have the potential to turn violent and we recommend you avoid them”.
In November 2009, the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC) reported the dissident republican threat in Northern Ireland was at its highest level in six years.
The IMC reported the two main dissident republican groups, the Real IRA and the Continuity IRA, were increasing the threat posed to security forces.