02/09/2004

Bullets intercepted at postal sorting office

Staff at a sorting office in the outskirts of Belfast have intercepted bullets in envelopes addressed to a number of Sinn Fein councillors.

Staff at the Royal Mail sorting office in Mallusk raised the alarm on Thursday after 12 suspicious packages were discovered on Wednesday. Each letter contained a single bullet and have been taken away for scientific examination.

Security Minister Ian Pearson condemned those behind the letters.

He said: "This was designed to intimidate and strike fear amongst those in society who are making a positive contribution to improve their communities. This cowardly act will not be allowed to succeed."

Last week, Royal Mail staff at the same sorting office discovered eight suspicious packages addressed to members of the Policing Board and the Police Ombudsman.

(MB/GMCG)

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