Northern Ireland

Loyalist group claim police were pre-warned of attacks

THREAT: A leaflet posted on a window in north Belfast by a breakaway faction of the UDA 
THREAT: A leaflet posted on a window in north Belfast by a breakaway faction of the UDA  THREAT: A leaflet posted on a window in north Belfast by a breakaway faction of the UDA 

Sinn Féin has said it will be raising questions with the PSNI about a claim by a breakaway faction of the UDA that they made police aware people were to be attacked just days before a pregnant woman had to flee her home.

Police increased their presence in the upper Ardoyne and Crumlin Road areas of north Belfast last night as a number of families left under PSNI escort amid threats.

Members of a group linked to those who have carried out the recent attacks claimed to have met with police last Thursday and made them aware attacks were imminent.

Two families left homes in the Glenbryn area on Monday night. The families, including small children, were given a police escort from the area.

On Monday night a house close to Ligoniel Road was set on fire and the male resident assaulted, he has also since fled.

The faction of the UDA, made up of a number of individuals who rose to prominence during the flag protests along with former expelled members of the loyalist organisation, have issued threats to several families.

A car belonging to a relative of a member of the loyalist group was later set on fire in what is thought to have been a retaliatory attack.

Inspector Roy Watton said: “Police are currently investigating a number of incidents in the Alliance Road and Glenbank areas of north Belfast, including alleged intimidation, the arson of a vehicle in the Lavens Drive area and the arson of a property at Glenbank Drive.

“Police are linking each of these incidents in an ongoing investigation. I am appealing for anyone with any information about any of these incidents to contact detectives at Musgrave Police Station on the non-emergency number 101”.

However, a social media page of the North Belfast UPRG, closely linked to the organisation, claims to have met with the PSNI last Thursday night and made officers aware of the situation.

“We stressed that those we represent will not sit back and let this continue and if the PSNI area unable, due to a lack of resources, to deal with these vermin then there are those who will”.

North Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly said: “If the allegations that threats were made during a meeting between the PSNI and UPRG are true then this is unacceptable. I will be meeting the PSNI to discuss these alleged threats.

“It follows the appearance of posters in north Belfast purporting to come from the UDA which include threats against those who they accuse of being involved in criminality. These threats are totally wrong and must be lifted immediately.

“The PSNI need to take action against this group and shut down their activities before anyone is hurt.”