LVF murder silence criticised

A unionist political leader has said it is “beyond doubt” that the paramilitary LVF killed Lisa Dorrian in February.

Since her disappearance the PSNI police have described speculation that the LVF was behind the killing as “unhelpful”.

David Ervine, leader of the Progressive Unionist Party, said that there had been a lack of media focus on Lisa’s murder.

“There has been a lack of focus on Lisa Dorrian while there was focus on other happenings at the time.

“That is sad if you are a member of the Dorrian family.”

And he said he “can’t work out” why the PSNI police was prepared to indulge in speculation about IRA involvement in Robert McCartney’s murder but dismissed speculation that the LVF killed Lisa Dorrian.

Meanwhile, the mother of the murdered woman said she felt as though her daughter’s plight had disappeared from “the face of the earth”.

“It was as if Lisa had disappeared off the face of the earth, that’s why we set up an appeal fund”. I would call on the media to do much more to help”.

The family have offered a #10,000 (O14,500) reward for information leading to the recovery of the body. They have also offered to meet with loyalist leaders in a bid to recover the remains.

Local DUP representative, Peter Weir, said that, while he condemned the murder, he wouldn’t speculate on whether or not the LVF is responsible.

“I don’t want to prejudge these matters,” he said.

Newly elected South Belfast SDLP MP, Alisdair McDonnell, who helped organise the McCartney family’s trip to Washington on St Patrick’s Day, refused to comment on the Dorrian case.

Urgent Appeal