POLICE IN NORTHERN Ireland have launched an investigation over threats made to politicians by masked men calling themselves the “New Republican Movement”.

A video circulated online showed three people wearing balaclavas, with two holding guns and one reading a statement. Behind them is an Irish flag.

In the statement, the man says they have been watching the movements of councillors and MLAs in Newry, Mourne and Down.

The man says that they have the addresses of the representatives and that they are “legitimate targets”.

Speaking about the video, District Commander Superintendent Lynne Corbett said police are trying to identify those responsible for the threats.

“It is completely unacceptable that anyone should face such threats and intimidation for carrying out the duties of the office to which they have been democratically elected,” she said.

“Police in Newry, Mourne and Down will continue engaging closely with our local elected representatives and will do all we can to ensure they feel supported and safe in our communities, and that they can undertake their role free from intimidation.”

Sinn Féin MP Dáire Hughes has described the threats as “sinister”.

The Newry and Armagh MP said: “The sinister threats issued by faceless thugs against elected members of Newry, Mourne and Down are an attack on democracy and on the mandate each of us as elected members receives from the public.

“Let me be crystal clear: these faceless individuals represent no one and they will not deter me or my party colleagues from carrying out our work, every day, representing our constituents.

Alliance Deputy Leader Eóin Tennyson said the video is “vile and reprehensible”.

“Such threats have absolutely no place in our society and my solidarity is with every Councillor and MLA who has been targeted.”

He added that it’s not only an attack on politicians, but on the public, who elected them.