UDA 'behind hospital threat'

Staff from the Mater Hospital have been threatened

Extra protection measures have been put in place at a Belfast hospital after the loyalist paramilitary Ulster Defence Association was blamed for issuing a threat against staff.

The management of the Mater Hospital, in the north of the city, said they had taken action to protect staff working in vulnerable areas, after the police informed them of the threats on Wednesday night.

The hospital's chief executive Patricia Gordon said: "We met with staff and trade unions to discuss practical steps which could be taken.

"We looked at the processes which operate within the hospital.

"And where we thought people might be working in isolation, we have put two members of staff on duty to try to make sure that people feel as safe as possible."

'Outrageous threat'

The union Unison demanded the immediate withdrawal of the "outrageous death threat".

Acting regional secretary Patricia McKeown said: "We thought we had left these dark days behind us.

"Hospitals are places of healing. They are no-go areas for threats and intimidation. Our members have delivered healing and care without fear or favour for all citizens in Northern Ireland since the establishment of the NHS.

We will never ignore anything which may put someone's life at risk

RUC

"With such a threat hanging over their heads the normal processes of healthcare can be seriously disrupted."

She also urged politicians and community leaders in north Belfast to help end the intimidation.

Alban Maginness, of the nationalist Social Democratic and Labour Party, said the hospital's staff and patients came from both sides of the community and called for the threat to be lifted.

"This is part of the current orchestrated strategy by the UDA to terrify the entire community," said the North Belfast assembly member.

Alban Maginness: Condemned threat

"It is despicable that an emergency facility is now included in this campaign of terror. The Mater Hospital like any other hospital should be treated as sacrosanct.

"We demand this threat is immediately removed and that the hospital can continue with their essential and valuable service to the whole community."

Mr Maginness, called on the Ulster Democratic Party, which is linked to the UDA, to "take action to stop this orchestrated campaign against the community".

Ulster Unionist north Belfast MP Cecil Walker also condemned the threats.

He said: "Once again vicious thugs in north Belfast are attempting to exercise control upon local services within their own community. My simple message to them, is that they will not succeed.

"Unfortunately the staff and management of the Mater have witnessed some horrific scenes over the last 30 years, however the highly professional service which continues to be administered is a tribute their skills."

The RUC said it did not comment on individual cases.

However, in a statement a police spokesperson said: "Threats to individuals cover everything from vague and unverifiable messages to specific targeting by terrorist organisations, sometimes originating from intelligence sources.

"We will never ignore anything which may put someone's life at risk.

"We will take all reasonable steps to inform the individual that they may be at risk, even when subsequent investigations show the initial threat to be unfounded, so be it. We prefer to be safe rather than sorry."