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.

The UVF (Ulster Volunteer Force) is believed to have entered into the most comprehensive process of disarmament, with the UDA (Ulster Defence Association) and RHC (Red hand Commando) also in talks to hand over weapons - progress which may have already been made.

A clergyman, who oversaw the decommissioning of IRA weapons, said the time was right for loyalists to put their gun beyond use.

Rev Harold Good said: "Like everyone else, I am very relieved and very pleased to hear this news.

"We are still waiting for final confirmation, but I think from everything we are hearing about this act of decommissioning on the part of the loyalists, it is certainly well under way if not complete."

Independent International Commission on Decommissioning head, General John de Chastelain has reportedly informated the Northern Ireland Office of loyalist decommissioning he has witnessed.

NIO Secretary of State Shaun Woodward laid down a July deadline for progress on loyalist paramilitaries' weaponry disposal.

However, the mother of a slain teen, has said the actions of terrorists groups reaches further than simply those murdered.

Widowed Phyllis Brett, whose son Gavin was killed by the UDA in 2001, said: "They don't understand the mess they leave behind."

The 18-year-old Protestant, Gavin Brett, was shot dead by the UDA in 2001 as he chatted to Roman Catholic friends near his home.

A car drove past him from the direction of the Upper Hightown Road and a number of shots were fired, fatally injuring Gavin who was struck twice.

Despite the best efforts of his father, Michael, who attended the scene, his son died in his arms.

Michael, who was on duty as a paramedic, was called to the scene of a shooting at Hightown Road – unaware it was his own teenage son who has been shot.

Phyllis Brett said her husband – who frantically tried to save Gavin as he lay dying on a pavement – found it almost impossible to cope with their loss.

"Gavin's death changed him. It partly brought on his illness. His premature death was linked to what happened to Gavin," said Mrs Brett.

Michael Brett, who went on to play an active community role in his involvement with neighbourhood policing also continued to aid others in his job in the NI Ambulance Service, but died from cancer in 2007, passing away just 10 weeks after being diagnosed.

While the father of John Allen jnr, who was gunned down by masked UVF men, said he does not trust the word of any paramilitary.

"Do they (the UVF) think six years makes it easier for me? I can assure you it might as well have been yesterday. Not a day goes past that I don't think about it and wonder why they did it," John snr told the Belfast Telegraph.

"These are the people who say they are decommissioning. They are not true to their word. They have not changed. They rule by intimidation and fear. They do not want to lose their power in their areas."

See: : Police stage reconstruction of Brett murder

(PR/BMcc)