The Five Demands

Dissident republican violence is “tempting” loyalists to respond (Troops Out Movement)

Ex-loyalist paramilitaries told a group of Irish politicians that ongoing dissident bloodshed is tempting some to respond.

The first prison officer to be killed in almost 20 years was shot dead earlier this month, while dissidents also tried to murder a member of the security forces with an under car booby trap bomb in north Belfast.

Former members of the UVF and UDA told TDs from the Oireachtas’ Joint Committee for the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, that they are working very hard to prevent loyalists from returning to violence.

Donegal TD Joe McHugh told the News Letter that it was the first time the committee has met with ex-paramilitaries, described the meeting as “frank and productive”. He also said that some interface areas might not have benefitted from the peace dividend as much as they should.

DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson said there is recognition that many loyalist communities haven’t seen the same development in their infrastructure at community level as many nationalist areas, but added that steps have been taken to rectify that.