50 under mob threat

MLA hits out at sinister armed group

DOZENS of names are on a list of people threatened by a sinister armed group, it has emerged. Sinn Fein MLA Caral Ni Chuilin condemned those responsible after a gang warned a man in his own home. It is understood around 50 people are named on the list which has been circulating in North Belfast in recent days. Ms Ni Chuilin called on the unnamed organisation to “withdraw the threats immediately and desist from any further actions”. She said: “Sinn Fein has been contacted by mental health professionals who have made it clear quite a number of those who have threatened are vulnerable individuals. “Men claiming to be from an armed group called to the home of a man named on the list and issued threats against him.” Chief Inspector Stephen Burns said the PSNI are aware “some written material has been distributed in parts of North Belfast” and are working with communities on issues like drug dealing. He added: “We are currently carrying out inquiries into this matter. Circulating material such as this is intensely unhelpful and potentially dangerous. “While we do not discuss the security of individuals, if we receive information that a person’s life may be at risk we will inform them accordingly. “We never ignore anything which may put an individual at risk.” He said no inference should be drawn from this. The officer added: “I also want to reassure the public police are actively working with communities to address criminality and issues like drug dealing across all parts of Northern Ireland.” Anyone with information about criminality is urged to contact police on the nonemergency number 101, or you can call independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Circulating material such as this is unhelpful & potentially dangerous CHIEF INSP STEPHEN BURNS YESTERDAY