Real IRA accuses Queen of war crimes

But the dissident republican group behind the latest threat to police officers in Northern Ireland was criticised for being “morally and politically bankrupt”.

Foyle MP Mark Durkan said its pretensions to legitimacy would impress nobody.

The security forces face a heightened threat from the gunmen after the recent death of Catholic Constable Ronan Kerr, 25, in a booby trap bomb under his car in Omagh, Co Tyrone.

Former SDLP leader Mr Durkan said: “The Real IRA’s words are intended to intimidate everyone but their pretensions to legitimacy will impress no one.

“Politicians do not really have to argue that this group is morally and politically bankrupt when they are driven to attack and threaten nationalists who want to serve the community and their country through a policing vocation. Their statement speaks for itself.”

The rally was organised by the 32 County Sovereignty Movement to mark the anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising.

In a statement, a masked member of the Real IRA told a crowd in a Londonderry cemetery: “Oglaigh na hEireann [the IRA] urge all self-respecting Irishmen and women to resist the upcoming insult that is the visit of a British monarch to Irish soil, the criminal free state government invite is not on behalf of the Irish people but to further the selfish interests of a self-serving elite.

“Despite the best efforts of the media, big business, and other power blocks to portray this visit as acceptable we clearly state that the Irish people will not capitulate.

“The Queen of England is wanted for war crimes in Ireland and not wanted on Irish soil. we will do our best to ensure she and the gombeen class that act as her cheerleaders get that message.”

The Real IRA said police officers would be targeted “regardless of their religion, cultural background or motivation”.

The Catholic church, the Gaelic Athletic Association and nationalist politicians including Sinn Fein deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness have been vocal in their condemnation of the killing of Constable Kerr.

The Queen’s forthcoming visit to Dublin is an effort to strengthen ties between the two countries.

The statement from the Real IRA said that the armed group was not holding negotiations with the British government, Irish government or anyone that represented them.