A former police officer has played down the capabilities of loyalist terrorist organisations in carrying out a large-scale attack or assassination attempt against Irish politicians.
It follows the publication of a letter from the Loyalist Communities Council (LCC), an umbrella group that represents the UDA, UVF and Red Hand Commando.
The letter had warned that Irish politicians should not visit Northern Ireland and of "dire consequences" if joint British-Irish authority became a reality in the absence of Stormont.
