CIRA threaten community workers

Staff at the Ashton Centre in the New Lodge area were threatened

Threats made against community workers by dissident republicans in north Belfast have been condemned.

Police informed staff at the Ashton Centre in the New Lodge area and the Wolfhill Centre in Ligoniel of a threat from the Continuity IRA.

A statement by the Ashton Centre called for the withdrawal of the threat.

"We will not be diverted from our mission of building a vibrant and confident north Belfast community," the statement said.

North Belfast Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly said it was "contemptible" to make threats against people working hard to improve the lives of others.

"In short, these groups are now threatening the entire community. These community centres are at the heart of the localities they work in, and offer services that people of all ages and from all sections of the community use," added Mr Kelly.

This completely flies in the face of the opinions of the community in north Belfast and beyond Seamus McAleavey, NICVA

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions said dissidents "have no programme and no support".

"The reports that CIRA are threatening to kill nationalist and Catholic community workers who co-operate with the police to make our streets safer are shocking, but not surprising," said ICTU assistant general secretary Peter Bunting.

Seamus McAleavey, chief executive of the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action, said: "This completely flies in the face of the opinions of the community in north Belfast and beyond.

"They have no support and we call for these dangerous and totally unacceptable threats to be withdrawn immediately."

The trade union Unison said it would hold a meeting on Friday "to plan a direct and public response to those who have made these unacceptable threats to workers and organisations whose mission in life is to work with citizens in disadvantaged communities to build a fairer and more inclusive society."