The Five Demands

Loyalist groups condemn ‘Red Hand Defenders’ threat to children and staff at Catholic schools (Belfast Telegraph)

The UDA and UVF have united to condemn a loyalist threat to use violence against children at three Catholic schools.

And the DUP’s most senior councillor in Belfast last night accused those behind the threat from the ‘Red Hand Defenders’ of attempting to raise tensions through “false rumours”.

Police are expected to maintain a low-key presence at Mercy Primary School, Mercy College and Holy Cross Primary in north Belfast after a man claiming to be from the Red Hand Defenders said parents, pupils and teachers were not welcome at schools in “Protestant, unionist and loyalist areas”.

He added that “military action” would begin today if the threat was not taken seriously.

Making the warning in a call to two Belfast newsrooms on Friday, the man said the threat had been “reactivated” due to “attacks on the Protestant, unionist and loyalist community in recent months”.

Police have indicated there is no evidence to corroborate the threat but that it cannot be ignored.

The North Belfast Ulster Political Research Group – which provides advice to the UDA – said: “We condemn any threat completely and without equiviocation, from whatever source. It is particularly vile, without justification or cause, to issue threats against schools, workers or protesters.”

Oldpark DUP representative Lee Reynolds also condemned those behind the threat.

“There are persistent attempts to increase tensions in north Belfast, often through false rumours and claims. The threats against the schools story is the latest example,” he said.

“I urge everyone to treat what they hear or read with care in the knowledge people are playing games.”

The PUP – which has links to the UVF – added its condemnation, claiming that the situation was a “cynical republican attempt to heighten tensions at Holy Cross school”.

The party accused republicans of using the guise of Red Hand Defenders to try to create a situation at Holy Cross “to diminish the impact of Civil Rights Camp” – a reference to the ongoing loyalist protest against parade restrictions in north Belfast.

Education Minister John O’Dowd said the threats were very disturbing.

“Regardless of anyone’s politics or views, schools should and must be havens for the young people who attend them and the staff who work there,” he said.