UTV News - IMC probes Tiger's Bay threats claims

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IMC probes Tiger's Bay threats claims

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The Independent Monitoring Commission is investigating reports of paramilitary activity in the Tiger's Bay area of north Belfast, which was once regarded as one of the UDA's staunchest strongholds.
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On Friday, the paramilitary watchdog met with the North Belfast Community Development and Transition Group, which was created by former paramilitaries, following allegations of intimidation in the area by the UDA.

Earlier this week it was claimed that up to six families had received threats from the paramilitary group and were told to leave the area.

"They call themselves community workers but they're not. They are getting away with so much in the community, it is unreal", alleged victim Alan Busby told UTV.

In a statement, North Belfast UDA told UTV it "totally refutes allegations that they have ordered people to move from their homes in the Tiger's Bay area".

"Times have changed in north Belfast, with the UDA now supporting community development and community relations initiatives as a means of developing and securing loyalist areas of north Belfast", the statement continued.

A local minister also denied any direct paramilitary involvement in what he described as a private dispute.

"It's true there has been trouble and tension in Tiger's Bay over recent weeks", Rev Robert Beckett told UTV.

"Two families moved out but it was essentially a dispute between two family groups that was fuelled by alcohol. It led to confrontation that did lead to intimidation from one family group on the other but that was the reason. It wasn't directly due to paramilitary involvement," he insisted.

The Ulster Political Research Group, which offers political advice to the UDA, says they want the IMC to investigate the allegations.

"This is exactly why we need the IMC to come and have a look at this", UPRG's Frankie Gallagher told UTV.

"We want them to investigate. We want them to do it in an independent way. There's nothing to hide."

At the end of the month, the IMC is due to produce its special report into the UVF murder of loyalist Bobby Moffett, who was gunned down in front of shoppers on the Shankill Road in May.

The IMC will most likely deal with the Tiger's Bay claims in its six-monthly report on paramilitary activity in October.

Earlier this week, local police said they were aware of local tensions in the area and took the concerns of the community extremely seriously.

They have appealed to anyone with a particular complaint or any relevant information to contact them.

© UTV News

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At 14:40 on 04 September 2010, BIG ERNEST wrote:
kevin ; loyalist death squads lol , is that the same as republican death squads too ? how many times has your so called defenders of the new lodge murdered people in tigers bay ? you know those catholic death squads sent over to inflict sectarian murder on their neighbours ? what has this story to do with the new lodge kevin ?
At 21:25 on 03 September 2010, William wrote:
At last the truth. Rev Robert Beckett a respected local minister for many years tells the real story behind recent media coverage which blackened the name of this area. Pastor Brian Maddon once again exposed. Taking sides, promoting hearsay and stigmatising our area. He should be ashamed of himself.
At 20:19 on 03 September 2010, Ulster Loyalist wrote:
Aye sure kevin. Becuase the New Lodge and Newington are model areas. At least the people of Tigers Bay do not vote these said men to represent them! I would say the same about building a dump over New Lodge, but it already is!
At 20:02 on 03 September 2010, george wrote:
KEVIN i drove down the new lodge today it was looking lovely lol grow up boy
At 18:01 on 03 September 2010, kevin wrote:
The residents didnt seem to care wen the loyalist death squads were running about killing innocent people in the new lodge and newington area..then scuttling back to their stones to hide under in Tigers Bay , but now that the tide has turned they are up in arms (no pun intended) ..seems they are actually seeing what these people are.... how these parents can bring up a family in this area is beyond me.. 1st chance i wud get i wud be outta there...they place is a run down ghetto anyways and should be demolished and a new city council dumped built on the grounds.
At 16:19 on 03 September 2010, BIG ERNEST wrote:
these people are no defenders of any community , what must be done is stop money going into groups which has connections to the uda in north belfast , i have read that the pastor involved has had death threats , those issuing them need to hang their heads in shame , i have stated before they are nothing but a criminal gang and i stand by that .
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