05/10/2007

UDA Release 'No Pressure' Statement Over Arms

Loyalist paramilitary group the UDA says it will not be pressured into decommissioning its weapons.

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie has given the group until Monday October 8 to begin decommissioning or face losing £1.2 million for project funding in loyalist areas.

While the UDA claims it has agreed a decommissioning timetable with its members, the Minister has said that the deadline remains as stated.

Ms Ritchie told BBC Radio News that the ball was in the court of the UDA and said: "We will be adhering to that deadline."

The £1.2 million community project funding was earmarked for projects aimed at helping a move away from violence, intimidation, and criminality in loyalist areas.

(SP/JM)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

15 October 2007
Loyalist Funding On Hold?
Continued loyalist violence remains a major stumbling block for Assembly Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie. She is to brief colleagues at Stormont soon on whether or not she will withdraw more than £1m of funding for a loyalist project, as was threatened in the absence of Ulster Defence Association (UDA) decommissioning.
09 October 2007
Talks Hope On UDA Arms Deadline
It has emerged that 'meaningful' talks are taking place between the UDA and the decommissioning body, the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning. NI Secretary Shaun Woodward has said the paramilitaries had begun 'meaningful' talks with the decommissioning body.
10 August 2007
Minister Threatens To Withdraw Funding For Loyalist Initiative
Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie has today challenged the UDA to begin decommissioning its weapons. 

 Otherwise, she said, the funding provided to the Conflict Transformation Initiative (CTI) project involving the Ulster Political Research Group would cease 60 days from now.
19 June 2009
Cautious Welcome As Loyalist Paramilitaries Disarm
Public representatives have cautiously welcomed news that three of Northern Ireland's main loyalist paramilitary groups have begun - or are on the cusp of - decommissioning illegal weapons. However, some families of the those murdered by the UVF, UDA and RHC have described the move as too little, too late.
18 June 2009
Loyalists Groups Begin Disarming
The UVF and UDA have reportedly begun decommissioning their weapons. It is believed the other loyalist paramilitaries are also preparing to put arms beyond use. Senior sources within the organisations said the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) has carried out a significant act of decommissioning.