Loyalists deny UDA ceasefire has been breached

Loyalists today angrily rejected claims that the Ulster Defence Association's ceasefire may have been broken.

Loyalists today angrily rejected claims that the Ulster Defence Association's ceasefire may have been broken.

The Police today confirmed the paramilitary organisation is one of the groups under investigation for a firebomb attack in Co Derry.

A 22-year-old woman had to jump from the window of her house in the Ballysally estate, Coleraine to escape the flames.

As detectives investigated the attack on Monday Chief Superintendent Richard Russell said: "There is a distinct possibility that this was carried out by loyalist paramilitaries."

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But representatives of the UDA-linked Ulster Political Research Group (UPRG) today insisted the terror group's 12-month halt to all military operations was still in place.

UPRG spokesman Mr Frankie Gallagher said: "I can categorically state that under no circumstances was the UDA involved in any shape or form.

"This is another sinister development from people within the security services to destabilise loyalism and the peace process."

Mr Gallagher also claimed police have refused to name the republican organisations behind a bomb attack on the Laganside courthouse in Belfast or the murder of Keith Rogers in south Armagh yesterday.

"This is in complete contrast to their allegations against the UDA," he said. "If they have proof what happened to the equality law? They should be doing this even-handedly.

"There is a deliberate attempt to protect the Provisional IRA, but without any clear evidence they are trying to damage loyalism."

PA