Investigation into workers' threats

Postal workers have received threats

Loyalist paramilitary threats to two postal workers are being investigated by police.

The two Catholic members of staff received "sympathy" cards to their home addresses at the weekend, which were marked "Ulster Volunteer Force" and contained sectarian abuse.

And a Sinn Fein member in Antrim has received a death threat from the Ulster Defence Association.

Police in Londonderry are carrying out forensic tests on the cards received by the postal workers.

Support offered

The two workers have been off work on special leave.

In a statement, Royal Mail confirmed that two employees at its delivery office in Derry had received "letters of a threatening nature" on Saturday.

It added: "We take the security and safety of our people very seriously and we are offering our full support to the two individuals concerned".

The Communication Workers Union has condemned the incident. A spokesman said the matter was being investigated internally.

Meanwhile, Sinn Fein's Aine Gribbon, who was threatened by the UDA, said she did not know why she was singled out.

Ms Gribbon is a prominent figure in women's groups in Antrim and a member of the Rathenraw Community Association.

She said the threat shocked her family.

"I have eight kids here to worry about and look after.

"Now I am wondering can I sit outside and watching them playing?" she said.

"Can I go down town to get my shopping? It has a whole knock-on effect."