The Northern Ireland Secretary Dr John Reid this evening declared an end to the ceasefires for the loyalist paramilitary groups, the Ulster Defence Association and the Loyalist Volunteer Force and warned that people might return to jail.
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Dr John Reid
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The Northern Ireland Secretary Dr John Reid this evening declared an end to the ceasefires for the loyalist paramilitary groups, the Ulster Defence Association and the Loyalist Volunteer Force and warned that people might return to jail.
Speaking on RTÉ radio this evening, Dr Reid said: "If there is evidence that people are members of an organisation that is not only illegal but is involved in terrorism and not adhering to the ceasefire - whether those people be members or they be out on unexpired licences from prison or they be people who have subsequently been charged with offences before the Good Friday Agreement or they be people in jail trying to get the benefits of the Good Friday Agreement they will all lose whatever benefits they have gained from being on ceasefire."
Dr Reid stressed today’s decision was not an undemocratic tool. "It’s not internment, but they will be forced to face the full rigour of the law, the post-Omagh legislation and if they attempt to blackmail or bludgeon the people of Northern Ireland by further violence they will be resisted by the forces of law-and-order and the security forces," said Dr Reid.
Two weeks after giving the UDA a final chance to end sectarian street violence, he told the leadership this evening the truce which it announced in October l994 was over.
Explaining today’s decision Dr Reid said: "They have systematically breached their ceasefire and the patience of the people of Northern Ireland has run out."
Dr Reid also announced an end to the ceasefire by the Loyalist Volunteer Force, a splinter group suspected of shooting dead Northern Ireland investigative journalist Mr Martin O'Hagan in Lurgan, Co Armagh a fortnight ago.
The Secretary of State, who made his announcement after talks with RUC Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan, said he had "clear information" of LVF involvement in the murder.
His decision, announced tonight at Hillsborough Castle, Co Down followed fresh trouble in Belfast's Protestant Shankill area on Thursday night when police involved in an arms and drugs search were attacked by a mob.
Dr Reid said the UDA and LVF had showed contempt for the people of Northern Ireland, for peace and democracy.
He claimed: "They seem determined to spurn the opportunity - given to them by the people - to make the transition from violence to democracy."
Dr Reid he could not pretend his decision on the two organisations would change their behaviour. He warned: "They may lash out and flaunt their immorality and their contempt for the law. But there is a limit to society's tolerance and that limit has now been reached."
Sinn Féin and the SDLP welcomed the announcement, but the UDA's political wing warned of a backlash.
PA