Families 'forced out' by loyalist feud

Families began moving out of Alliance Avenue on Monday

Seven families say they have been forced out of their north Belfast homes because of a feud between rival factions of the paramilitary Ulster Defence Association.

The families began moving out of their homes in Alliance Avenue on Monday afternoon.

Independent Unionist Councillor Frank McCoubrey said shots were fired at the houses on Sunday night.

Local people said in one case, the door of a house was kicked in as a crowd of loyalists gathered outside.

These people have been living here a long time and there is no need for them to move whatsoever

Sammy Duddy
Ulster Political Research Group

However, leaders of the UDA in the north of the city have denied threatening the families.

A member of a lobby group close to the UDA denied the group was behind the threat.

The Ulster Political Research Group was formed "to provide analysis to the UDA" after the dissolving of its political affiliate, the Ulster Democratic Party.

Member Sammy Duddy said: "These people have been living here a long time and there is no need for them to move whatsoever.

"There have been no threats from the UDA, I have been speaking to several leaders.

"There is no threat on these people and yet someone has put the panic on them and they have got up and moved house."

However, DUP councillor Nelson McCausland said the development was worrying.

Violence

"These situations are most difficult for any community and very often innocent people get drawn into them," he said.

"This is a community that has suffered a great deal over the years in terms of inter-community violence but now it is intra-community violence."

The police have said extra officers and soliders were drafted into the area on Sunday and a security presence was maintained throughout Monday.

The feud began following the expulsion of leading loyalist Johnny Adair and close associate John White several months ago.

Adair was re-arrested and returned to prison on 10 January after having his early release licence revoked by Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy.

Mr Murphy took the decision after receiving a security briefing about the alleged activities of the loyalist leader from Belfast's Shankill area.

Two people have been shot dead in recent weeks as a result of the infighting.

Jonathan Stewart, 22, was shot dead in north Belfast on 26 December.

On 2 January, Roy Green, 32, was shot as he left a bar in the Ormeau area of south Belfast.