Hospital staff walk out over death threats
Staff at three hospitals in Belfast are to stop work for an hour in protest at paramilitary death threats.
The lunchtime action is being taken after trade union officials held emergency talks to discuss growing intimidation from republican and loyalist terrorists.
At the weekend, a group calling itself the Catholic Reaction Force said it would kill three unnamed members of staff with security force links working in the Royal Victoria Hospital in west Belfast and the Mater Hospital in the north of the city.
This was followed by a threat from the loyalist Red Hand Defenders to kill Catholic workers at the Mater Hospital and the Ulster Hospital at Dundonald.
A statement issued last night from management and trade unions, declared the threats as "deplorable, evil and sinister" and called for them to be removed immediately.
"For over 30 years, often at times of great civil unrest, workers in our hospitals have given care unreservedly to all those who need it.
"The issue of threats from various paramilitary organisations against any hospital workers is condemned. All those with influence are asked to join in this condemnation."
The hospitals advised staff concerned about their security to seek advice from the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
"Management and trade unions are united in saying to staff that these threats must not be allowed to affect the right of people to work in peace or to affect the vital public services provided."
