Tension mounts in Belfast

Soldiers patrol on the loyalist Shankill Road

An increased number of soldiers are on patrol in Belfast's loyalist heartland in an effort to control a violent feud between rival paramilitary groups.

Mobile army patrols are augmenting checkpoints being manned by soldiers and the police in the Shankill Road area.

The funeral took place earlier on Thursday of the first of three victims of the feud between the Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF) and the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF).

Bobby Mahood was shot dead on Monday as he sat in a car in north Belfast with UFF associate Jackie Coulter, who was also killed.

Several hundred people gathered for Mr Mahood's funeral as it left his home off the Shankill Road for Carnmoney Cemetery in the north of the city.

At the moment all of these calls for mediation are just going to fall on deaf ears.

Billy Hutcinson
PUP Assembly member

John White, chairman of the Ulster Democratic Party which has links to the UFF, was among mourners.

In what appeared to be a retaliatory strike to the shootings, Sam Rocket, 22, was shot dead in his home in front of his partner and one-year-old daughter.

Mr Rocket had links with the UVF and the shooting is being blamed on the UFF.

Secretary of State Peter Mandelson described Mr Rocket's death as "senseless".

"This further killing takes the loyalist feud to a new low, with yet another loyalist family grieving as a result of this senseless behaviour.

'End the madness'

"These rival organisations must recognise that continuing violence is getting them nowhere."

Protestant ministers on the Shankill Road have met in an effort to urge both sides to seek mediation to end the dispute.

A follow-up security operation is centred on the victim's house, which is being examined by forensic scientists.

The Progressive Unionist Party Assembly member, Billy Hutchinson, confirmed he knew Mr Rocket.

Mr Hutchinson, whose party has links to the UVF, blamed the UFF for the killing and condemned security forces, who he claimed had left the area open to attack.

He said: "I've been saying all along, mediation will have to come, it's a matter of time but at the moment all of these calls for mediation are just going to fall on deaf ears."

Gary McMichael of the Ulster Democratic Party, which has links to the UFF, described Mr Rocket's killing as a tragedy.

"I once again appeal to all loyalists to end this madness and urge them to accept that mediation to resolve this crisis is now imperative," he said.

The killings follow a weekend of tension on the Shankill Road which led to the re-imprisonment of convicted UFF commander Johnny Adair.

Free since September last year under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, Adair's licence was revoked by Peter Mandelson who said he had evidence of the leading loyalist's involvement in commissioning acts of terrorism.

The escalating tension has led to thirty six families leaving their homes on the Shankill Road and applying to be rehoused since the weekend.