20/01/2003

IRA denies targeting Protestant community workers

The IRA has denied it is targeting loyalist community workers after the Protestant Community Workers Association today said it was breaking off contact with republican groups following the revelations.

The group, led by PUP member William Smyth, told a Shankill Road news conference that they had been informed by police that the IRA had kept personal files of at least 20 members of their community group.

While the group expressed concern that republicans may be targeting certain members of their organisation, Mr Smyth said: "We can only view this as a serious breach of confidence, faith and trust. It is a betrayal of people involved in many years of dedicated and hard peace building."

Mr Smyth confirmed that he is one of the individuals on the list.

However, an IRA statement late on Monday afternoon denied such allegations, claiming they were "bogus and mischievous" and were being exploited in an effort to undermine public confidence. The IRA also reiterated it was still on ceasefire.

The documents in question are said to be part of files uncovered during an investigation into alleged IRA intelligence gathering at Stormont last October.

Northern Ireland's power-sharing executive was suspended on 14 October following a row over the spy ring allegations.

(MB)

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