Loyalist attacks go unchecked in Antrim

Posted by Jim on September 29, 2018

Loyalists paramilitary organisations have been involved in brutal
attacks in County Antrim amid violent wrangling over local control and
the proceeds of crime.

In Ballymoney, the UDA (‘Ulster Defence Association’) were responsible
for shooting an 18-year-old youth in both arms and legs. The attack took
place at his home last weekend.

SDLP East Derry representative John Dallat said he believed the shooting
is the “handiwork of the UDA who are operating in open defiance of law
and order”.

“I am also convinced this is the same gang that murdered Brian McIlhagga
more than three years ago in the same town and they will go on acting as
judge and jury against anyone who they don’t like,” he said.

“Anyone who doesn’t show due reverence to them is fair game,” he added.

McIlhagga, a father-of-five and small time drugs dealer, died after he
was shot in the leg in a similar shooting. An investigation by the PSNI
police failed to lead to prosecution.

Sinn Fein’s Philip McGuigan said the most recent attack “was quite
clearly carried out by loyalist paramilitaries”.

“In fact this is just the latest of many attacks, resulting in death and
serious injuries, close to Ballymoney, carried out by loyalists.

“There needs to be firm action by the PSNI to halt these attacks and
bring those responsible to justice.”

Meanwhile, there are concerns that the UVF (‘Ulster Volunteer Force’)
has has reorganised in east Antrim. It was blamed for an even more
brutal attack on a local man at his home earlier this month.

The victim, who is in his 20s, was beaten with sledgehammers in the
Woodvale area of Larne, suffering serious injuries to his arms and legs.
Items were also taken from the home, it is understood.

A woman, who lives nearby and did not want to be named, said she heard
the man’s screams.

“He said help and he was screaming in pain,” she said. “It’s scary,
isn’t it? I’ve got a son and thankfully he slept through it, could you
imagine if he’d heard that. The way you have to look at it too, that’s
somebody’s son.”

Mr McMullan said he believed that the UVF was responsible and said the
loyalist group has been reorganising and retraining in east Antrim in
recent months, with its leadership based in the Monkstown area of
Newtownabbey.

He also warned that the organisation in Larne is involved in the supply
of illegal drink and cigarettes and runs illegal drinking dens.