Menu
06/02/2009
Loyalist Weapons Surrender Slips Back Again
Despite considerable parliamentary opposition Westminster has agreed to give Ulster loyalists more time to decommission.
The existing amnesty period has been extended for one year, but will be reviewed in six months.
The move was only reluctantly accepted by the Conservatives with MP Lawrence Robertson commenting that his party supported the extension with a "heavy heart".
Meanwhile, it was also reported yesterday that senior figures from the DUP are to meet loyalist paramilitaries to discuss decommissioning.
Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson told a committee of MPs in Westminster the meeting would be between party members and UDA and UVF representatives.
Mr Donaldson said it has to be the "last chance" for loyalists.
"We're engaging with paramilitary organisations, not for the purpose of giving them credibility in the democratic world, but to make sure that they take the steps that are necessary to end violence and criminality, to remove their weapons and to enter into a fully democratic society," he said.
Security Mininster Paul Goggins said loyalists must begin the process of decommissioning now.
But he warned that, if significant progress was not made after six months, the amnesty period would be halted.
The plans will go to the House of Lords next week and if passed will then come into force.
See: Loyalist Guns In Focus As Peace Broker Remembered
(BMcC/JM)
The existing amnesty period has been extended for one year, but will be reviewed in six months.
The move was only reluctantly accepted by the Conservatives with MP Lawrence Robertson commenting that his party supported the extension with a "heavy heart".
Meanwhile, it was also reported yesterday that senior figures from the DUP are to meet loyalist paramilitaries to discuss decommissioning.
Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson told a committee of MPs in Westminster the meeting would be between party members and UDA and UVF representatives.
Mr Donaldson said it has to be the "last chance" for loyalists.
"We're engaging with paramilitary organisations, not for the purpose of giving them credibility in the democratic world, but to make sure that they take the steps that are necessary to end violence and criminality, to remove their weapons and to enter into a fully democratic society," he said.
Security Mininster Paul Goggins said loyalists must begin the process of decommissioning now.
But he warned that, if significant progress was not made after six months, the amnesty period would be halted.
The plans will go to the House of Lords next week and if passed will then come into force.
See: Loyalist Guns In Focus As Peace Broker Remembered
(BMcC/JM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
09 April 2002
Fresh demands on loyalists to decommission
There have been fresh calls from both sides of the political divide for loyalist paramilitary groups to decommission their weapons following a second historic move from the IRA.
Fresh demands on loyalists to decommission
There have been fresh calls from both sides of the political divide for loyalist paramilitary groups to decommission their weapons following a second historic move from the IRA.
10 June 2005
Loyalists linked to baseball bat attack
A woman has been beaten by a gang of masked men, believed to be loyalist paramilitaries, in an attack in Co Antrim on Thursday. Three men forced their way into her house in the Mosside area of Ballymoney at about midnight and beat her with baseball bats. They then ransacked the property before escaping in a car in the direction of Armoy.
Loyalists linked to baseball bat attack
A woman has been beaten by a gang of masked men, believed to be loyalist paramilitaries, in an attack in Co Antrim on Thursday. Three men forced their way into her house in the Mosside area of Ballymoney at about midnight and beat her with baseball bats. They then ransacked the property before escaping in a car in the direction of Armoy.
11 February 2003
Kilclooney casts doubt on devolution hopes
Ahead of tomorrow's inter-governmental talks at Hillsborough, Unionist peer Lord Kilclooney has thrown severe doubt on the prospects of any breakthrough being made, saying there was "no chance of devolution being restored simply by an act of decommissioning".
Kilclooney casts doubt on devolution hopes
Ahead of tomorrow's inter-governmental talks at Hillsborough, Unionist peer Lord Kilclooney has thrown severe doubt on the prospects of any breakthrough being made, saying there was "no chance of devolution being restored simply by an act of decommissioning".
30 November 2009
Violence Echoes Past Policing Problems
Street violence at the weekend has been roundly condemned – and blamed on loyalists for deliberately fermenting the trouble, which was said to be organised with text messages.
Violence Echoes Past Policing Problems
Street violence at the weekend has been roundly condemned – and blamed on loyalists for deliberately fermenting the trouble, which was said to be organised with text messages.
06 August 2009
Loyalist McDonald Speaks At West Forum
Former UDA chief Jackie McDonald has claimed Unionist politicians in Northern Ireland "don't know how to deal with loyalists". He also expressed "every sympathy" with the family of slain Coleraine man Kevin McDaid, who was beaten to death by a loyalist mob in May.
Loyalist McDonald Speaks At West Forum
Former UDA chief Jackie McDonald has claimed Unionist politicians in Northern Ireland "don't know how to deal with loyalists". He also expressed "every sympathy" with the family of slain Coleraine man Kevin McDaid, who was beaten to death by a loyalist mob in May.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
