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AAD threaten to "execute" republican's killers

Mourners carry Gerard 'Jock' Davison's coffin during his funeral
Mourners carry Gerard 'Jock' Davison's coffin during his funeral

Action Against Drugs has threatened to "execute" anyone involved in the murder of former IRA commander Gerard 'Jock' Davison.

In a statement, the paramilitary group has claimed it is carrying out an investigation into the republican’s murder.

Mr Davison was shot dead by a lone gunman as he walked to work in the Markets area of Belfast in May.

The statement said that while he had no links to AAD, they believe those who killed him were drug dealers.

"If we find anyone had any role whatsoever, letting those who did it use their house, washed clothes or took the gun away, they are going to be executed," the group said.

"He was a community worker and a dedicated republican."

The statement said that the leadership of the group are former members of the Provisional IRA and Direct Action Against Drugs, which killed several drug dealers in the 1990s.

The organisation claims that many of the drugs peddled in republican areas are being supplied by loyalists.

"We do not intend to allow nationalist/republican areas to end up like loyalist areas regarding drugs," the statement said.

"Anybody with their hands on drugs is a target."

The group urged people involved in drug dealing to cease their activities.

"If they stop dealing and make it known to a local community worker we will monitor their actions for a period of time and if they have stopped they will have nothing to fear from us," the statement said.

The organisation claims it does not ‘tax’ drug dealers in order to allow them to continue their trade.

"We have had drug dealers offering us money," the statement said.

"Money or bribes will not get them out of the situation.

"If a drug dealer has the audacity to offer us money we will punish him for it."