06/02/2009
Loyalist Weapons Surrender Slips Back Again
Despite considerable parliamentary opposition Westminster has agreed to give Ulster loyalists more time to decommission.
The existing amnesty period has been extended for one year, but will be reviewed in six months.
The move was only reluctantly accepted by the Conservatives with MP Lawrence Robertson commenting that his party supported the extension with a "heavy heart".
Meanwhile, it was also reported yesterday that senior figures from the DUP are to meet loyalist paramilitaries to discuss decommissioning.
Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson told a committee of MPs in Westminster the meeting would be between party members and UDA and UVF representatives.
Mr Donaldson said it has to be the "last chance" for loyalists.
"We're engaging with paramilitary organisations, not for the purpose of giving them credibility in the democratic world, but to make sure that they take the steps that are necessary to end violence and criminality, to remove their weapons and to enter into a fully democratic society," he said.
Security Mininster Paul Goggins said loyalists must begin the process of decommissioning now.
But he warned that, if significant progress was not made after six months, the amnesty period would be halted.
The plans will go to the House of Lords next week and if passed will then come into force.
See: Loyalist Guns In Focus As Peace Broker Remembered
(BMcC/JM)
The existing amnesty period has been extended for one year, but will be reviewed in six months.
The move was only reluctantly accepted by the Conservatives with MP Lawrence Robertson commenting that his party supported the extension with a "heavy heart".
Meanwhile, it was also reported yesterday that senior figures from the DUP are to meet loyalist paramilitaries to discuss decommissioning.
Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson told a committee of MPs in Westminster the meeting would be between party members and UDA and UVF representatives.
Mr Donaldson said it has to be the "last chance" for loyalists.
"We're engaging with paramilitary organisations, not for the purpose of giving them credibility in the democratic world, but to make sure that they take the steps that are necessary to end violence and criminality, to remove their weapons and to enter into a fully democratic society," he said.
Security Mininster Paul Goggins said loyalists must begin the process of decommissioning now.
But he warned that, if significant progress was not made after six months, the amnesty period would be halted.
The plans will go to the House of Lords next week and if passed will then come into force.
See: Loyalist Guns In Focus As Peace Broker Remembered
(BMcC/JM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
09 April 2002
Fresh demands on loyalists to decommission
There have been fresh calls from both sides of the political divide for loyalist paramilitary groups to decommission their weapons following a second historic move from the IRA.
Fresh demands on loyalists to decommission
There have been fresh calls from both sides of the political divide for loyalist paramilitary groups to decommission their weapons following a second historic move from the IRA.
10 June 2005
Loyalists linked to baseball bat attack
A woman has been beaten by a gang of masked men, believed to be loyalist paramilitaries, in an attack in Co Antrim on Thursday. Three men forced their way into her house in the Mosside area of Ballymoney at about midnight and beat her with baseball bats. They then ransacked the property before escaping in a car in the direction of Armoy.
Loyalists linked to baseball bat attack
A woman has been beaten by a gang of masked men, believed to be loyalist paramilitaries, in an attack in Co Antrim on Thursday. Three men forced their way into her house in the Mosside area of Ballymoney at about midnight and beat her with baseball bats. They then ransacked the property before escaping in a car in the direction of Armoy.
11 February 2003
Kilclooney casts doubt on devolution hopes
Ahead of tomorrow's inter-governmental talks at Hillsborough, Unionist peer Lord Kilclooney has thrown severe doubt on the prospects of any breakthrough being made, saying there was "no chance of devolution being restored simply by an act of decommissioning".
Kilclooney casts doubt on devolution hopes
Ahead of tomorrow's inter-governmental talks at Hillsborough, Unionist peer Lord Kilclooney has thrown severe doubt on the prospects of any breakthrough being made, saying there was "no chance of devolution being restored simply by an act of decommissioning".
04 December 2003
Five released by police investigating murder
Five people arrested for questioning in connection with a police inquiry into the murder of a Co Antrim man last month, have been released without charge. Ballyclare man, John Allen, 31, died after being shot in the head and legs by two masked men at a flat in the town on November 8. He was taken to Antrim Area Hospital were he later died.
Five released by police investigating murder
Five people arrested for questioning in connection with a police inquiry into the murder of a Co Antrim man last month, have been released without charge. Ballyclare man, John Allen, 31, died after being shot in the head and legs by two masked men at a flat in the town on November 8. He was taken to Antrim Area Hospital were he later died.
23 July 2007
First Minister condemns loyalist clashes
The First Minister of Northern Ireland, Ian Paisley, has condemned the loyalist clashes in Carrickfergus, County Antrim and described the violence as ‘extremely worrying’. The First Minister said that feuds between so-called loyalists are a grave indictment on their communities and he unreservedly condemned such acts.
First Minister condemns loyalist clashes
The First Minister of Northern Ireland, Ian Paisley, has condemned the loyalist clashes in Carrickfergus, County Antrim and described the violence as ‘extremely worrying’. The First Minister said that feuds between so-called loyalists are a grave indictment on their communities and he unreservedly condemned such acts.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.