Under the shadow of loyalist attack
by Laura Friel
The loyalist attack on two schoolboys in North Belfast came as news
emerged that over 100 people in Ardoyne have been informed by the RUC
that their lives are in danger and that their details are in the
hands of loyalist death squads. The number of threats being issued
came to light after one solicitor's office confirmed that they had
dealt with over 100 cases from the Ardoyne area since January.
``This figure does not include all the people who have been issued
with threats,'' says local councillor Mick Conlon, ``for example, it
excludes 35 taxi drivers from one taxi depot in Ardoyne who were all
recently informed by the RUC that their lives were in danger from
loyalists.'' As Conlon points out, not everyone would use the same
solicitor. This figure relates only to one particular office.
Mick Conlon is critical of the lack of adequate provision for people
who have been informed by the RUC that their lives are in danger.
``The DHSS provides a one-off payment of £100,'' says Mick, ``yet the
average cost of securing a house is estimated as in excess of
£1,000.''
The DHSS payment is not available to all low-income families under
threat. For example, someone claiming incapacity benefit would not
qualify for any payment, let alone those employed in low-paid work.
``It's woefully inadequate,'' says Mick,'' there needs to be a scheme in
operation similar to the RUC's key person scheme, which provides the
proper financing of security needs.''
The neglect of nationalists living in fear of loyalist attack feeds
nationalist perceptions that they remain expendable, Britain's
collateral damage within the peace process.
``Every day, different facets of the same threat are visited on this
community,'' says Mick. The day after the attempt to kill two local
schoolboys, the RUC raided homes in Ardoyne. They were actually
raiding at the same time as they were conducting door to door
inquiries into the attack. ``RUC attacking nationalist homes, RUC
issuing threats from loyalists, RUC collusion with loyalists carrying
out those threats and subsequent cover ups,'' lists Mick. ``It's a
vicious circle which, if the peace process means anything, must be
broken.''
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