CIRA death threat

The Continuity IRA ha expressed regret that it had not killed a west Belfast man it kidnapped last month.

In a statement the paramilitary group admitted kidnapping John Devine from his home on October 23 and interrogating him about alleged “treachery” against the organisation.

Mr Devine was found the following day in north Monaghan, six miles from the border.

The 40-year-old subsequently claimed that his captives had burned his body with acid and a soldering iron, before he was ordered to leave the country.

The CIRA admitted firing shots into Mr Devine’s home in the Falls area of West Belfast at the weekend.

In Wednesday’s statement the breakaway republican organisation denied burning or using acid on Mr Devine’s body during his kidnap ordeal.

Warning that it now intended to kill the 40-year-old, the CIRA statement said: “We informed Mr Devine that he was to leave the country within 24 hours of his release, a sentence since deemed to be too lenient in light of his actions.

“Mr Devine was not tortured or abused during his detention.

“He did not have acid or any other substance used on him as he subsequently alleged in a national newspaper.”

It went on: “Should Mr Devine continue to defy our order, then he will be dealt with accordingly.

“We should also point out that anyone who seeks to harbour this individual shall also be dealt with.”

Earlier this year Mr Devine was acquitted of placing a CIRA hoax bomb on a bus in west Belfast.

Mr Devine has denied claims that he made a deal with police to evade prosecution.

Graphically describing acts of torture by his captors in news interviews, he asked: “What I want to know is, who sanctioned the abduction and torture?

“I am calling on them to produce evidence to show I am what they say I am.

“I am an innocent man. I will not leave my home and my family for an allegation that contains not one iota of truth.

Urgent Appeal