Pressure rises for action against ‘ceasefire-breakers’

The Government was under pressure tonight to take action against the largest loyalist paramilitary group, the Ulster Defence Association, amid allegations that it has broken its ceasefire.

The Government was under pressure tonight to take action against the largest loyalist paramilitary group, the Ulster Defence Association, amid allegations that it has broken its ceasefire.

With 44 pipe bomb attacks since the start of the year, security chiefs are blaming elements within the UDA for a widening sectarian campaign against Catholic homes.

The attacks have been spreading to more and more parts of the Province, with towns in five of its six counties affected.

Police believe that the attacks are designed to destabilise the peace process and fear that if they continue, republicans could seek retaliation.

A loyalist source said that a loose alliance made of UDA members opposed to the Good Friday Agreement and various dissident groups was behind the attacks.

‘‘What you are seeing is an unfolding of loyalist frustration and unfortunately I can’t see any immediate end,’’ he said.

Although security chiefs believe five of the UDA’s six battalions have declared their opposition to the Good Friday Agreement, their October 1994 ceasefire is officially still intact.

But with fears of fatalities in the escalating campaign the Government is making daily assessments on the state of the truce.

If the hit-and-run bombings continue, then the new Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid will come under more pressure to declare it at an end.

Gary McMichael, leader of the Ulster Democratic Party, which has links to the UDA, called on the paramilitary group to clarify whether it is still on ceasefire.

‘‘I think that while there is uncertainty around all of this it would be helpful if the UDA were to clarify what its own position was.’’

There were signs today that those responsible for directing the violence have extended the campaign after a Catholic workman was injured when a device exploded in his face as he opened the cab door of a digger in Moygashel near Dungannon, Co Tyrone.

The victim, aged 53, was treated in Craigavon Area Hospital for cuts to his face. His condition was described tonight as stable.

RUC Inspector Frances Nolan said the attack was sectarian.

‘‘This is a decent, honest, hardworking man who came to this community to contribute something to the community and has been treated in such a manner.’’

The Ulster Unionist MP for the area Ken Maginnis condemned it as a cowardly attack.

He said these people try to impose their will. ‘‘They will not succeed. They are cowards, they are faceless cowards.’’

The attack took place just hours after pipe bombs exploded in Dungannon and in Limavady, Co Londonderry. No-one was hurt.

One house in Dungannon and two in Limavady were targeted in what Sinn Fein said was part of an ongoing ‘‘anti-Catholic pogrom’’ throughout Northern Ireland.

Meanwhile, a delegation of victims of the sectarian violence travelled to Dublin today for a meeting with Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Brian Cowen.

Sinn Fein Assemblyman Gerry Kelly who led the delegation, restated his view that the UDA ceasefire was at an end.

‘‘I think there ought to be some honesty here. Everyone knows that the UDA is involved in this,’’ he said.

A spokesman for the Northern Ireland Office said: ‘‘The Secretary of State is very concerned about these attacks and recognises the fear they are causing in local communities.

‘‘The security forces will have whatever resources they need to tackle this problem.’’

Tighter security measures have already been introduced in some of the worst hit areas, with more set to follow.

The RUC has increased patrols in Coleraine, Co Londonderry and Larne, Co Antrim and Army reinforcements have been sent into north Belfast.

Three men were questioned tonight after they were detained in a series of searches of homes in two loyalist estates in Coleraine.

The main Belfast-Dublin railway line was closed near Newry, Co Down after reports of an explosion close to the Irish border.

It is believed this could be linked to continuing attacks by dissident republicans opposed to the Good Friday Agreement.

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