ADAMS ON REAL IRA HIT LIST; 10 quizzed as cops find terrorists' camp.

SINN Fein chief Gerry Adams could be forced to step up his security after Real IRA death threats.

The already heavily guarded republican leader denied yesterday he would be taking any extra measures.

But he admitted he would be taking the threat - passed on to him by police - seriously.

The news came as 10 men were arrested at a suspected dissident republican terrorist training camp in the Irish Republic.

Members of the Sinn Fein president's security detail follow Adams everywhere and some are believed to be authorised to carry firearms.

Tension has been mounting recently between the Provos and the hardliners of the Real IRA and Continuity IRA - who oppose the mainstream republicans' involvement in the peace process.

Adams said yesterday that police had visited his home and warned his wife that he was being actively targeted.

He added he had to take the threat seriously but he would not be intimidated.

Adams went on: "I was elected to represent people, and I don't intend to be intimidated from representing those who support our party, and those who support the peace process. I don't intend to be deflected from any of those tasks by whatever risk there is."

Adams also hinted British intelligence could be behind the death threats.

He added: "Some of these groups are so heavily infiltrated that it's very hard to know who's pulling whose strings or indeed if there is a real threat."

He spoke shortly after joining performers on stage at the annual West Belfast festival.

Extra troops and police had already been drafted into north and west Belfast following friction between the Provos and members of the Real and Continuity IRAs.

The Provos threatened to kill one of the dissidents who they alleged had been swapping guns and doing drugs deals with loyalist terror groups.

The dissidents have also been seeking to recruit Provos who are becoming increasingly frustrated at the lack of political progress.

The authorities are anxious to prevent the outbreak of a republican feud which would further derail the peace process.

And Gerry Adams is seen as a vital part of that aim.

A senior security source said last night: "There are a lot of people who hate Gerry Adams but who want to keep him alive.

"If Adams goes, there is a real danger any hopes of peace will vanish for a long time and the Provos will return to a campaign of violence in Northern Ireland and on the British mainland."

A Police Service of Northern Ireland spokesman said they don't discuss individuals' personal security.

Police linked the discovery of the alleged training camp on the Waterford- Tipperary border to the activities of the Continuity IRA outlawed dissident terrorist faction.

Weapons, ammunition and other terrorist paraphernalia were found at the camp, a police spokesman said.

The men - aged from their late teens to early 40s - can be held for 72 hours without charge.