Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
TWO MEN ARRESTED OVER THREATS TO CATHOLICS
Police probe ‘UVF links’ in intimidation of families
POLICE investigating the intimidation of four Catholic families have arrested two men.
The suspects, aged 37 and 40, were detained on suspicion of being members of the UVF.
DCI Gary Reid said yesterday: “Detectives today arrested two men in East Belfast under the Terrorism Act on suspicion of membership of a proscribed organisation, namely the UVF.
“The men have been taken to Musgrave Serious Crime Suite where they are helping police with inquiries.”
Last week, the chief constable blamed the organisation for issuing threats to families living in a cross-community housing development in the south-east of the city.
George Hamilton said the East Belfast UVF was behind the intimidation in the Cantrell Close area.
He added police were not sure whether the threats were supported by the leadership of the criminal organisation, or made by individual members. The street, off the Ravenhill Road, was supposed to be a flagship cross-community development as part of the Stormont Executive’s Together Building United Communities programme.
DCI Reid added: “Police are continuing to investigate the intimidation of families in Cantrell Close and the Chief Constable has said he believes the UVF are responsible.
“Today’s arrests are part of our ongoing investigation into the UVF in East Belfast.”
After the intimidation of the Catholic families, two Protestant community workers living nearby, both pensioners, were also threatened.
Last week, Mr Hamilton said it was too early to say whether dissident republicans were to blame.