Republican News · Thursday 12 September 2002

Republicans' details found on loyalist

Sinn Féin national chairperson Mitchel McLaughlin was among a number of republicans warned that their personal details had been discovered in the hands of a known Derry loyalist on Sunday night 8 September.

The RUC/PSNI visited a number of people, including Sinn Féin press officer Dominic Doherty, and were told that a senior loyalist had been arrested on Friday 6 September and that their details were found in his possession. The loyalist, Mark John Pilling, was found to details of a prominent republican when he was stopped by the RUC/PSNI and the names, addresses and car registrations of up to seven republicans were found during follow up searches of his home and office.

Mitchel McLaughlin said that republicans in Derry were taking the threat very seriously and are reviewing their security.

Sources in Derry have told An Phoblacht that Pilling is a leading member of the Ulster Political Research Group (UPRG). The UPRG was formed last year and is linked to the loyalist UDA.

Meanwhile Pilling, from the Waterside area of Derry, was remanded in custody on Monday 9 September after being charged with having information likely to be of use to someone committing or preparing to commit an act of terrorism.