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)

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

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.
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.
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.
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.
09 August 2016
Former UDA Brigadier Was Aware He Was Under Threat - PSNI
Former UDA brigadier John Boreland was aware he was under threat after he was fatally shot in north Belfast on Sunday, 07 August, according to the police. The shooting attack happened in the Sunningdale Gardens area in Ballysillan at approximately 9.50pm. He died at the scene.