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15/10/2007
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.
Last week, Mrs Ritchie spoke to the head of the decommissioning body about progress on UDA arms.
Weekend disturbances and a missed deadline for the paramilitary organisation to begin giving up guns last week have all exacerbated the situation with Ms Ritchie said to be coming under pressure from the Northern Ireland Office to compromise.
However, Security Minister Paul Goggins said the final decision on whether to redirect £1.2m from the Conflict Transformation Initiative to other loyalist projects was hers.
The UDA said it was adhering to its own timetable for getting rid of its weapons, despite last Tuesday's deadline.
(BMcC)
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.
Last week, Mrs Ritchie spoke to the head of the decommissioning body about progress on UDA arms.
Weekend disturbances and a missed deadline for the paramilitary organisation to begin giving up guns last week have all exacerbated the situation with Ms Ritchie said to be coming under pressure from the Northern Ireland Office to compromise.
However, Security Minister Paul Goggins said the final decision on whether to redirect £1.2m from the Conflict Transformation Initiative to other loyalist projects was hers.
The UDA said it was adhering to its own timetable for getting rid of its weapons, despite last Tuesday's deadline.
(BMcC)
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05 October 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.
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.
01 November 2007
Community Project Pays Price Of UDA Violence
The axe has finally fallen on the promised £1.2m UDA-linked conflict transformation scheme for the regeneration of loyalist areas. The Department of Social Development has served notice of termination to Farset, the independent organisation appointed to oversee the project.
Community Project Pays Price Of UDA Violence
The axe has finally fallen on the promised £1.2m UDA-linked conflict transformation scheme for the regeneration of loyalist areas. The Department of Social Development has served notice of termination to Farset, the independent organisation appointed to oversee the project.
11 October 2007
Gun Attack Cranks-Up Tension On UDA Weapons
A gun attack in County Antrim – where no one was injured – has underlined the growing controversy over loyalist disarmament. A local family was asleep when three shots were fired through a window of their house at Drumahoe Drive, in the Sunnylands estate, Carrickfergus.
Gun Attack Cranks-Up Tension On UDA Weapons
A gun attack in County Antrim – where no one was injured – has underlined the growing controversy over loyalist disarmament. A local family was asleep when three shots were fired through a window of their house at Drumahoe Drive, in the Sunnylands estate, Carrickfergus.
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.
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.
16 October 2007
Assembly Rounds On Minister As Loyalist Cash Halted
While today’s announcement by Assembly Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie to call a halt to a loyalist initiative that was to have been funded with £1.2m of government cash was widely anticipated, the reaction of her Assembly colleagues wasn’t.
Assembly Rounds On Minister As Loyalist Cash Halted
While today’s announcement by Assembly Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie to call a halt to a loyalist initiative that was to have been funded with £1.2m of government cash was widely anticipated, the reaction of her Assembly colleagues wasn’t.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
