UDA behind death threats to republicans, claim Sinn Fein
The UDA was today accused of hiding behind a new cover name after a death threat was issued against four prominent Belfast republicans.
A statement by the Loyalist Reaction Force naming Sinn Fein MLA Alex Maskey, councillor Eoin O’Broin, Martin Meehan, Shankill Road bomber Sean Kelly and Martin Meehan junior was sent to a newsroom in the city.
But the party’s North Belfast Assemblyman, Gerry Kelly, insisted this was nothing more than a flag of convenience, allowing the UDA to continue its sectarian terror campaign.
‘‘I have no doubt that this threat originated from the UDA,’’ he said.
‘‘They first created the UFF and then the Red Hand Defenders in an attempt to hide their naked sectarianism.’’
A death threat against Catholic teachers and postal staff was issued in the name of the Red Hand Defenders earlier this month.
But public outrage at the murder of Catholic postman Daniel McColgan forced the UDA - who admitted carrying out the killing - to issue a statement ordering the RHD to stand down.
The move did little to dispel suspicions among many that the two organisations were one and the same.
After learning of the latest threat, which comes just days after an unexploded pipe bomb was found in the garden of Mr Maskey’s home, Mr Kelly claimed it showed the ‘‘farce’’ of the UDA’s activities.
‘‘In effect they ordered themselves to stop using the RHD as a cover name and this is exactly what they have done,’’ he said.
‘‘This has not stopped the violence, the attack on Alex Maskey’s home shows that.
‘‘All we are seeing is the violence and intimidation being carried out under another flag of convenience.’’
A police spokeswoman confirmed they were probing the death threat.
‘‘We have received a report of a letter being received and we are investigating.’’
