GROWING FEARS OF LOYALIST BACKLASH
Growing fears of loyalist backlash
UDP urges support for security forces in search for bombers
LEADERS of the Ulster Democratic Party have appealed for loyalists not to retaliate for the attack.
Yesterday in a statement they said: "The Ulster Democratic Party deplores the mindless bombing in Omagh and the senseless loss of life but urges loyalists to remain calm and not be drawn into any retaliatory action which would play into the hands of those republicans intent on wrecking this peace process.
"The security forces should not be detracted from pursuing those responsible for this dastardly deed and should be given every assistance possible, particularly from the nationalist community."
Politicians across the divide also urged loyalist groups to remain calm and desist from retaliation.
The threat of a loyalist backlash heightened yesterday when it emerged that dissidents within the hardline Loyalist Volunteer Force are planning to continue their armed campaign.
The move follows only days after the LVF announced that it had abandoned its campaign and had agreed to decommission its weapons.
Security forces believe the dissidents within the group are extremists who have vowed to avenge killings and terror outrages by republican factions.
It is understood the renegades agreed to set up a splinter group at a series of secret meetings where they accused the LVF leadership of attempting to cash in on the peace process to secure the early release of members inside the Maze Prison.
A source close to the group confirmed that meetings had taken place in mid-Ulster and Carrickfergus, but said he could not confirm if members had agreed to carry on with their campaign.
The LVF under the leadership of the late Billy Wright who was murdered by the INLA last December has been responsible for at least 18 killings in the mid-Ulster area.
UDP urges support for security forces in search for bombers
LEADERS of the Ulster Democratic Party have appealed for loyalists not to retaliate for the attack.
Yesterday in a statement they said: "The Ulster Democratic Party deplores the mindless bombing in Omagh and the senseless loss of life but urges loyalists to remain calm and not be drawn into any retaliatory action which would play into the hands of those republicans intent on wrecking this peace process.
"The security forces should not be detracted from pursuing those responsible for this dastardly deed and should be given every assistance possible, particularly from the nationalist community."
Politicians across the divide also urged loyalist groups to remain calm and desist from retaliation.
The threat of a loyalist backlash heightened yesterday when it emerged that dissidents within the hardline Loyalist Volunteer Force are planning to continue their armed campaign.
The move follows only days after the LVF announced that it had abandoned its campaign and had agreed to decommission its weapons.
Security forces believe the dissidents within the group are extremists who have vowed to avenge killings and terror outrages by republican factions.
It is understood the renegades agreed to set up a splinter group at a series of secret meetings where they accused the LVF leadership of attempting to cash in on the peace process to secure the early release of members inside the Maze Prison.
A source close to the group confirmed that meetings had taken place in mid-Ulster and Carrickfergus, but said he could not confirm if members had agreed to carry on with their campaign.
The LVF under the leadership of the late Billy Wright who was murdered by the INLA last December has been responsible for at least 18 killings in the mid-Ulster area.
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/036
Published Date: 17-Aug-98
Related Images
There have been no images archived for this article.