Security officials have warned that the New IRA is seeking to exploit rising tensions over migration in Ireland and could launch a violent campaign aimed at forcing migrants from the country.

Intelligence sources fear the dissident republican organisation is attempting to turn anger over migration into a new recruiting and intimidation tool, potentially opening another dangerous front for security services on both sides of the Irish border.

The warning comes amid heightened tensions following protests and unrest linked to allegations of migrant crime.

Security sources have told the Daily Mail that the New IRA — which remains committed to Irish reunification — is seeking to capitalise on local grievances and position itself as an enforcer against migrants.

One particularly alarming video appeared on social media last week, featuring an unidentified man claiming to speak on behalf of the IRA and threatening migrants.

The speaker claimed the group would issue migrants with an ultimatum to leave, adding that the campaign would represent a “wake-up call” for authorities.

He said: “They will take control, and they will give an ultimatum, not to politicians but to the illegal migrants who are in the country.

Security officials are particularly concerned about the potential consequences for Britain.

Any sustained campaign of intimidation could encourage migrants to leave the Republic of Ireland and attempt to enter the UK through Northern Ireland, exploiting the open land border and the Common Travel Area.

The man in the video warned: “It is now going to be time for civil war, and that is exactly what these guys are going to be doing and can you blame them?

“This will be a major wake-up call for the authorities. These guys will show them how it’s done and give them 24 hours to leave.”

That prospect would create an additional headache for British authorities already struggling to control irregular migration.

The New IRA emerged from a series of dissident republican organisations. The Real IRA broke away from the Provisional IRA in 1997 before merging with Republican Action Against Drugs in 2012.

The group has remained active despite years of counter-terrorism operations and is believed to maintain networks across Ireland and Britain.

Security sources claim it has also developed links with Scottish nationalist groups in Glasgow, which have helped disseminate its propaganda online.

The warnings come amid continuing concern over dissident republican activity.

In July, 25-year-old law student Isobella Perrie Sullivan was charged with possessing explosives after a device was discovered inside a vehicle in the Republic of Ireland. Police had intercepted her during an operation targeting dissident republican activity.

A solicitor representing Sullivan told a court she had allegedly been asked to transport a bag to Northern Ireland without knowing what was inside.

A security source claimed the New IRA had remained active in Northern Ireland, citing alleged attacks against the Police Service of Northern Ireland and recent incidents involving police facilities and a vehicle.

“They have two aims: Irish independence and all migrants out,” the source claimed.

A source told the Mail: “The New IRA have been very active this year in the North in attacks against the Police Service of Northern Ireland, at Lurgan police station and a car bomb at Dunmurry.

“They have two aims: Irish independence and all migrants out.

“We believe it is part of a power struggle going on between factions within the group of the old IRA, the Real and the New IRA, with the new incarnations advocating a campaign of violent intimidation.”

British officials are now watching closely for signs that anti-migrant agitation could become entangled with dissident republican violence.

A Home Office spokesman said Britain maintained a “close and collaborative working relationship” with Ireland on migration and border security, including efforts to identify and tackle emerging migration trends.

For security agencies, the fear is that an old conflict could acquire a new and deeply combustible grievance — with migrants potentially becoming the targets of a campaign designed to resurrect violence on the island.