UDA issues statement about north Belfast activity

It has emerged that the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) has said it will ensure loyalists living in north Belfast will behave responsibly over the coming days.

The Ulster Political Research Group claimed in a statement - issued on Friday 5, by members John White, Davy Mahood and Tiger’s Bay community activist Mr Eddie McClean - that they had been given an assurance by the loyalist paramilitary group assuring that it would play a constructive role in calming the situation.

Over the past week, the violence, which has characterised north Belfast for the past nine months, flared up again between loyalists and police.

Speaking on Friday Mr McClean he had made approaches to UDA sources recently and that they had come to him with this plan.

“I expect the next few weeks to be quiet and I have a lot of faith in this statement,” Mr McClean said.

“A lot of effort has gone into creating peace and calm, but the police have come in and used heavy handed tactics, and loyalists living in the area have reacted.

“Men, women and children living in the Tiger’s Bay areas are suffering. They are living in inhumane conditions and its time to get this resolved.”

However SDLP assembly member for the area, Alban Maginness, said he “remained to be convinced” as to the sincerity of the statement.

“I have heard it all before. But if they [UDA] are sincere in trying to prevent violence in the area, then I would encourage it,” he said.

“However these riots [during the week] were the actions of the UDA. They were planned and executed with considerable force against the police. Over the past few months they have been the instigators of the violence in north Belfast. They are intent on creating sectarian mayhem in the area and I would be sceptical as to the bona fide nature of the statement.”

On Wednesday night, 13 officers were left injured after clashes with loyalists on the Limestone Road. The police said they came under attack from crowds who hurled more than 30 petrol bombs and at least 23 pipe and blast bombs during disturbances, which broke out in the flashpoint area.

The Assistant Chief Constable for Belfast, Alan McQuillan, accused the Ulster Defence Association of orchestrating the violence.

(AMcE)