Hostile calls, abuse on social media, an individual acting aggressively outside a constituency office and accusations of being a republican have combined to leave a political representative feeling deeply threatened.
Alliance MLA Sorcha Eastwood believes the calls and articles in a loyalist magazine are directly linked to her voicing opposition in the Irish News to a parade in honour of a slain UDA member.
The latest issue of 'The Loyalist' magazine, which included an article referring to her supposed “republication credentials”, was emailed directly to her inbox.
The response came after she told the Irish News of her opposition to a parade to remember UDA member Jim Guiney.
The Lagan Valley representative believes some loyalists are attempting to silence her. It is "unwanted contact" and "certainly harassment", she said.
The UDA member was shot dead 25 years ago following the behind bars killing of LVF leader Billy Wright.
“Sorcha Eastwood finds it difficult to mask her republican credentials with the blatant contempt and hatred for anything British,” one article read in 'The Loyalist' read.
The magazine is believed published by people aligned to the Ulster Political Research Group (UPRG) and is available via email and circulates as a print edition in loyalist areas.
A UPRG branch that helped organise the Guiney march did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A representative of the Loyalist Communities Council, which speaks for loyalist paramilitary groups, did not respond to a request for comment.
Ms Eastwood said the attacks on her ranged from “petty, personal” to the “more sinister” as she is accused of having a republican agenda or credentials.
The MLA regards being named as a republican as “threatening”. She added it is also untrue as she is not a republican and represents everyone in her constituency.
The recent telephone calls are part of a campaign of intimidation stretching back longer. Photographs have been taken of the front of the office and posted online while she was afraid to leave one night after a man started “bashing” the window. She has faced abuse on social media.
Some politicians have come out in support, including Ulster Unionist leader Doug Beattie.
“This type of threatening behaviour is totally unacceptable, cowardly and pointless,” Mr Beattie wrote on social media.
“It must be challenged by all those who want to normalise our society.”
North Down Alliance MP Stephen Farry said: "Keep on doing what you are doing, and standing up inclusion, mutual respect and the rule of law."
Republic's Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney, said Mr Eastwood would be supported by "the vast majority of people on this". "No one should face this type of intimidation," he said.
The Alliance MLA said the events over the last several weeks have been "distressing" for staff, family and herself.
The parade honouring Guiney went ahead on January 21. Dozens of people, including members of the Orange Order, took part.
Prior to the parade, Ms Eastwood told the Irish News she planned to raise the event with the Parades Commission.
"Not only is it glorifying the actions of a paramilitary group in an area where their impact is still being felt, but it could serve to retraumatise the loved ones of one of their victims close to where he was killed."
She was echoing the concerns of Marian Walsh, the mother of 17-year-old Damien, shot dead by the UDA/UFF as he worked at the Dairy Farm shopping centre near Twinbrook, in March 1993.
