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05/02/2009
Loyalist Guns In Focus As Peace Broker Remembered
As leading loyalist figures joined mourners at the funeral of a 'peace-broker' clergyman yesterday, the focus of attention was again turning to weapons' decommissioning.
The Rev Roy Magee, who was buried on Wednesday, was a key figure in helping to broker the loyalist paramilitary ceasefires in the mid-1990s.
The final part of the work he started - the removal of illegal loyalist weaponry - was very much in the minds of those in attendance, as pressure mounted to get rid of their weapons' caches.
Among the hundreds who paid their last respects at Dundonald Presbyterian Church was a figure credited as being prominent in the UDA, Jackie McDonald, as well as the organisation's political spokesman, the UPRG's Frankie Gallagher.
Last month opposition MPs on a Westminster committee indicated they wouldn't back a NIO-sponsored move to renew legislation which continues to allow a weapons decommissioning body to function.
They are against a proposed additional 12-month extension to the work of the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning, which was established by a treaty between the British and Irish governments in September 1997.
This was because of the failure of most loyalist paramilitaries, primarily the UDA and UVF, to give up their weapons - or make any measurable effort to make progress.
It is expected a compromise proposal, allowing just six months for significant progress to be made, will win support instead.
In a speech in May, Shaun Woodward issued a warning to the UDA and UVF that the structures governing decommissioning were "time limited".
(BMcC/JM)
The Rev Roy Magee, who was buried on Wednesday, was a key figure in helping to broker the loyalist paramilitary ceasefires in the mid-1990s.
The final part of the work he started - the removal of illegal loyalist weaponry - was very much in the minds of those in attendance, as pressure mounted to get rid of their weapons' caches.
Among the hundreds who paid their last respects at Dundonald Presbyterian Church was a figure credited as being prominent in the UDA, Jackie McDonald, as well as the organisation's political spokesman, the UPRG's Frankie Gallagher.
Last month opposition MPs on a Westminster committee indicated they wouldn't back a NIO-sponsored move to renew legislation which continues to allow a weapons decommissioning body to function.
They are against a proposed additional 12-month extension to the work of the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning, which was established by a treaty between the British and Irish governments in September 1997.
This was because of the failure of most loyalist paramilitaries, primarily the UDA and UVF, to give up their weapons - or make any measurable effort to make progress.
It is expected a compromise proposal, allowing just six months for significant progress to be made, will win support instead.
In a speech in May, Shaun Woodward issued a warning to the UDA and UVF that the structures governing decommissioning were "time limited".
(BMcC/JM)
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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.
Loyalists Groups Begin Disarming
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11 November 2008
UDA Issues 'Militant' Remembrance Statement
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UDA Issues 'Militant' Remembrance Statement
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15 October 2007
Loyalist Funding On Hold?
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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.
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.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
