The Continuity IRA has admitted setting fire to a digger belonging to a contractor working at Casement Park.

Speaking to the Andersonstown News on Monday, the Belfast leadership of the dissident republican group claimed responsibility.

Continuity IRA members approached the Downpatrick-based contractor at Christmas demanding cash.

He refused to pay, but instead of going to the PSNI he approached Sinn Féin.

Last Wednesday, a JCB belonging to the man’s firm  which was parked in the grounds of Casement Park was set alight by the Continuity IRA.

The arson attack prompted Sinn Féin to go public with the threats against the building firm boss.

On Friday, West Belfast MP Gerry Adams launched a stinging attack on dissident republicans, accusing them of extortion, protecting drug dealers and threatening business owners. He also correctly fingered the Continuity IRA as being responsible for the Casement fire.

The Sinn Féin President said: “The gangs involved are targeting innocent families, business people and in some instances other criminals, in particular drug dealers, demanding protection money. This behaviour is intolerable and it must end.

“I would challenge those who set themselves up as supporters of these groups to repudiate these actions and co-operate with the PSNI in ending criminality in our community.”

Although admitting to trying to extort cash from the builder, the Continuity IRA denied involvement in protecting drug dealers.

“We firmly oppose drug dealing and we will go after anyone we find out is involved in the drugs trade,” a spokesman told the Andersonstown News.

“Recently we disrupted the activities of a drug dealer from Antrim who has been bringing cocaine into West Belfast. We are committed to ending drug dealing.”

The Continuity IRA leadership also admitted carrying out a shotgun attack at Selby Court, off the Grosvenor Road, last week.