Republican News · Thursday 31 January 2002

Renewed threats to Catholic teachers

Sinn Féin Assembly member for North Belfast, Gerry Kelly, has expressed concern over reports that a loyalist group calling itself the Loyalist Reaction Force has issued death threats against Catholic teachers.

"Undoubtedly this is the work of the UDA. They have in the past used fictional names such as the UFF and the RHD as a cover for their sectarian activities and are now using the 'Loyalist Reaction Force' in a similar vein," said Kelly.

He added that the Loyalist Reaction Force name was also used in a death threat against four Sinn Féin members,including two elected representatives in a letter sent to UTV on Friday 25 January.

"All we are seeing is the UDA using another name as another flag of convenience under which they are carrying on their anti-Catholic violence," said Kelly