05/02/2009
Loyalist Guns In Focus As Peace Broker Remembered
As leading loyalist figures joined mourners at the funeral of a 'peace-broker' clergyman yesterday, the focus of attention was again turning to weapons' decommissioning.
The Rev Roy Magee, who was buried on Wednesday, was a key figure in helping to broker the loyalist paramilitary ceasefires in the mid-1990s.
The final part of the work he started - the removal of illegal loyalist weaponry - was very much in the minds of those in attendance, as pressure mounted to get rid of their weapons' caches.
Among the hundreds who paid their last respects at Dundonald Presbyterian Church was a figure credited as being prominent in the UDA, Jackie McDonald, as well as the organisation's political spokesman, the UPRG's Frankie Gallagher.
Last month opposition MPs on a Westminster committee indicated they wouldn't back a NIO-sponsored move to renew legislation which continues to allow a weapons decommissioning body to function.
They are against a proposed additional 12-month extension to the work of the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning, which was established by a treaty between the British and Irish governments in September 1997.
This was because of the failure of most loyalist paramilitaries, primarily the UDA and UVF, to give up their weapons - or make any measurable effort to make progress.
It is expected a compromise proposal, allowing just six months for significant progress to be made, will win support instead.
In a speech in May, Shaun Woodward issued a warning to the UDA and UVF that the structures governing decommissioning were "time limited".
(BMcC/JM)
The Rev Roy Magee, who was buried on Wednesday, was a key figure in helping to broker the loyalist paramilitary ceasefires in the mid-1990s.
The final part of the work he started - the removal of illegal loyalist weaponry - was very much in the minds of those in attendance, as pressure mounted to get rid of their weapons' caches.
Among the hundreds who paid their last respects at Dundonald Presbyterian Church was a figure credited as being prominent in the UDA, Jackie McDonald, as well as the organisation's political spokesman, the UPRG's Frankie Gallagher.
Last month opposition MPs on a Westminster committee indicated they wouldn't back a NIO-sponsored move to renew legislation which continues to allow a weapons decommissioning body to function.
They are against a proposed additional 12-month extension to the work of the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning, which was established by a treaty between the British and Irish governments in September 1997.
This was because of the failure of most loyalist paramilitaries, primarily the UDA and UVF, to give up their weapons - or make any measurable effort to make progress.
It is expected a compromise proposal, allowing just six months for significant progress to be made, will win support instead.
In a speech in May, Shaun Woodward issued a warning to the UDA and UVF that the structures governing decommissioning were "time limited".
(BMcC/JM)
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16 November 2004
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15 November 2004
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19 June 2009
Cautious Welcome As Loyalist Paramilitaries Disarm
Public representatives have cautiously welcomed news that three of Northern Ireland's main loyalist paramilitary groups have begun - or are on the cusp of - decommissioning illegal weapons. However, some families of the those murdered by the UVF, UDA and RHC have described the move as too little, too late.
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Public representatives have cautiously welcomed news that three of Northern Ireland's main loyalist paramilitary groups have begun - or are on the cusp of - decommissioning illegal weapons. However, some families of the those murdered by the UVF, UDA and RHC have described the move as too little, too late.
18 June 2009
Loyalists Groups Begin Disarming
The UVF and UDA have reportedly begun decommissioning their weapons. It is believed the other loyalist paramilitaries are also preparing to put arms beyond use. Senior sources within the organisations said the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) has carried out a significant act of decommissioning.
Loyalists Groups Begin Disarming
The UVF and UDA have reportedly begun decommissioning their weapons. It is believed the other loyalist paramilitaries are also preparing to put arms beyond use. Senior sources within the organisations said the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) has carried out a significant act of decommissioning.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.