Cathal O'Dolan stood down on Thursday after the threat was made in a call to a newspaper earlier in the week.

It is understood the threat came from the Real IRA, one of the dissident republican groups opposed to the peace process in Northern Ireland.

Mr O'Dolan, a civil servant and part-time farmer from Belcoo, was one of nine independent members of the Fermanagh District Policing Partnership.

The chairman of the Northern Ireland Policing Board Professor Desmond Rea said Mr O'Dolan's resignation was regrettable, but understandable.

"He lives in a border area and our feelings must go out to him and his family," Professor Rea said.

He said a number of death threats had been made against members of the DPP and the Policing Board in recent months.

Tom Elliott: Threat was deplorable

A statement read on behalf of Mr O'Dolan by partnership chairman, Ulster Unionist councillor Tom Elliot, said he had no alternative but to resign.

Councillor Elliot described the threat against Cathal O'Dolan as "absolutely deplorable".

"It is deplorable that people still want to live in the past and rule by fear and intimidation and threats," he said.

"We have to ask what have this type of people to offer our society?

"I know they are a very small minority, but what do they have to offer society?"

In August 2003, bullets were sent to the Londonderry home of Denis Bradley, the deputy chairman of Northern Ireland's Policing Board.

Police believe dissident republicans were also behind that threat and linked it with a similar package sent to the home of Marian Quinn, a member of the district policing partnership in Derry.

Last month, a hoax device was placed under her daughter's car.

Mrs Quinn said her experience had been terrrifying and she understood perfectly why Mr O'Dolan stood down.

"I was very scared as well. But I was determined that they were not going to stop me doing what I thought was right," she said.

Marian Quinn condemned the threats

Mrs Quinn described those who issued the threat as "yesterday's men".

She said it was important for the nationalist community to be part of district policing partnerships.

"Our community, for so long, has cried out for accountable policing and this is our chance to get it right through the DPPs," she said.

The MP for Fermanagh/South Tyrone, Sinn Fein's Michelle Gildernew, condemned the threat and called for it to be withdrawn.

"I know myself what it is like living under the shadow of a threat and I don't believe that anybody should have to live with that hanging over them and their family," she said.

"We have to stand up to these people. They don't have a mandate.

"They are not representing anybody and I believe that they should not be allowed to carry on in this way. They should be disbanded."

The SDLP's spokesman on policing, Alex Attwood, also condemned the threat against Mr O'Dolan.

"The decision that Mr O'Dolan has taken is entirely understandable. He and his family have been subjected to an awful experience," Mr Attwood said.

"A small faction of dissidents will not undo the policing opportunities that have been created. Their despicable behaviour and continued violation of people's human rights is in stark contrast to the good work being carried out by those working to move policing forward."

District policing partnerships were set up across Northern Ireland under reforms initiated by a commission headed by former Hong Kong Governor Chris Patten and implemented by the government.

Councillors and members of the local community sit on the boards and work alongside the Police Service of Northern Ireland's 29 District Command Units in trying to meet local community policing needs.

The Northern Ireland Policing Board handles some of the most sensitive issues facing policing and holds PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde and his senior officers to account.

Former assembly members and independent nominees serve on the board whose headquarters are in Belfast.