X-factor star Eoghan Quigg last night defied sinister renegade republican threats by taking to the stage for the hit show. And Sunday Life today reveals the identity of the top dissident republican who has warned the Dungiven family could be in danger because of Eoghan’s decision to perform on the new Help for Heroes single, Hero.

Our picture shows Republican Sinn Fein spokesman Richard Walsh who has called for a boycott of the single.

He once claimed that police tried to recruit him as an informer and is also a close associate of hardliner Ruairi O’Bradiagh. The single — produced to raise funds for British soldiers — is set to reach the No 1 spot today after selling more than 100,000 copies on the first day of its release.

But the release of the chart-topping track was overshadowed by web threats to the 16-year-old singer from diehard republicans.

One message read: “Lives at risk as X-Factor used to glorify Brit Army. This could put Dungiven hurler Eoghan Quigg in a tough position as he now has to sing for British troops.”

Another poster also asked: “So will young Quigg be knee-capped when he gets back? This is not a very nice position to put Eoghan Quigg in.” Speaking to the Sunday Life, Walsh — whose group is linked to the Continuity IRA — last night attempted to justify the anger directed at the singer.

The hardliner, who campaigns for Continuity IRA prisoners, said: “There’s no doubt about it — there’s a lot of anger in Dungiven and in the wider community about this.

“Eoghan is only a young fella, but I can understand why people are upset about his decision to appear on a song which honours the British war machine.

“I’m concerned this decision could be a problem for him and his family. I just wish his family would have been more responsible when allowing their son to participate in this song.

“Considering the town where he comes from and the fact people from Dungiven have suffered at the hands of the British Army, it is totally inappropriate for him to sing on this song.

“The X Factor bosses should also have done their home work and kept him out of the song. They may have put pressure on him, but he had every right to keep away from this project.”

The 27-year-old Derry diehard has also chillingly warned that renegade violence is set to increase over the coming months, adding: “We can be satisfied that republican resistance to foreign occupation is on the rise.

“Hugh Orde may not miss any opportunity to label republicans as lunatics, but the reality is that only a lunatic would believe that republican resistance will cease once policing and justice have been devolved.

“The message from Lisnaskea, Roslea and Craigavon was that the British colonial police will never be welcome in our country.

“We must resist all attempts to bolster English rule in part of Ireland.”

The teenager’s dad Chris accused bigots of attempting to destroy his son’s singing dream, added: “He’s not a republican. We’ve lived through the Troubles but Eoghan was born in 1992 — he’s far too young to know anything about this.

“He’s in a singing competition, that’s what’s important. I’m annoyed there are still small-minded bigots here.

“Part of this is because he’s a wee Catholic lad from Derry and some republicans are stirring it

up. I don’t agree with Iraq, but that’s nothing to do with it.

“This is for people who have lost limbs and lost their lives, whatever they were fighting for.

“They’ll probably need a lot of help for the rest of their lives and that’s fair enough. I’d a feeling there would be trouble over this. We don’t want that. If the song is for the Army, so be it.”

Worried X-Factor bosses also defended the young star’s decision to appear in the single, adding: “Eoghan's political views played no part in his decision to join all the final acts in supporting the Help for Heroes campaign.”

The threats were issued to the schoolboy in the same week that renegade republican godfathers vowed to cause “havoc” after today’s controversial RIR homecoming parade.

Senior police chiefs were last night finalising security plans after it emerged they had spent over £400,000 in overtime during recent security operations against dissident republican activity throughout Ulster.

Cops signed up for over-time after PSNI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde was asked by MI5 to recruit more officers in the war against rival republican factions.

A senior security source also claimed MI5 were placing more emphasis on combating renegade republicans than muslim extremists.

Many of the officers will be on the frontline today in Belfast as tensions continue to rise over the controversial RIR homecoming parade.

Some of the police units deployed later today include the specialist E4A and District Mobile Support Units. The units have been deployed over fears the protests could be similar to the violence which erupted after the ‘Love Ulster’ parade was held in Dublin in 2006.

Said the source: “The threat from dissident republicans has been given top priority at MI5 and Sir Hugh has been told to get more officers. There are genuine fears over the parade because there will be so many opposing factions converging in the city and it just takes one person to kick-start serious disturbances.”

A spokesman for the dissident republican Erigi group warned violence could erupt if their protesters are moved by police.

Said the spokesman: “Make no mistake about it — if there is trouble then blame will lie at the feet of the British.”

“We have a right to engage in protest at the British war machine and we won’t be forced off our own streets.”

Assistant Chief Constable Alistair Finlay urged everyone to ensure parade and associated protest passes off peacefully.

He said: “Significant effort, in conjunction with parade and protest organisers and political and community representatives, has gone into the planning of Sunday's events. Our aim is to ensure the safety of all.

“Community leadership and personal responsibility will also play an important role in public safety. We are aware that there have been tensions building in the run up to the parade and protest. This is a time for cool heads.

“It is in everyone's interest for the day to pass off peacefully. The policing operation will be appropriate and proportionate to ensure public safety, minimum disruption and an early return to normality.

“However, we will not tolerate the activities of the very small number of people in society determined to cause trouble.”