Bullets and death threats intercepted at postal sorting office

Package’s containing live ammunition, and death threats sent to two prominent campaign leaders, have been intercepted by a postal sorting office in Mallusk.

The packages, addressed to Breandan MacCionnaith of the Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition and Gerard Rice of the Lower Ormeau Community Council, were intercepted by postal staff at the Royal Mail sorting office and passed on to the police for examination late on Tuesday January 22.

Both packages, allegedly from the Orange Volunteers, contained live ammunition and death threats.

Mr MacCionnath said he would be taking the threats “very seriously” and that the letter contained a veiled threat in relation to a meeting he was invited to attend in Portadown, which has been organised by the Parades Commission, this weekend. Speaking on Wednesday, Mr MacCionnath said his attendance at the event was now “highly questionable”.

Mr MacCionniath said he had been contacted by a senior member of the Irish Government who said they would be bringing the threats issued to the men during talks with the police and the British Government.

South Belfast Sinn Féin councillor Alex Maskey said: “These bullets are the latest in attempts by loyalists to intimidate nationalists and their chosen spokespeople. The fact that these were sent to two people who have stood firmly with their respective communities against the bigotry of the Orange Order comes as no surprise.” (AMcE)