Unionist death squads targeting in Derry

Sinn Féin's Raymond McCartney

Sinn Féin's Raymond McCartney believes that unionist death squad members have been engaged in intensive surveillance in the Bogside Brandywell areas of Derry in the past few months in a prelude to a serious attack.

Speaking after the latest sighting, McCartney stated,

"In the run up to Easter there were several sightings of a known loyalist in the Bogside/Brandywell area of Derry. At the time, Sinn Féin warned that nationalists and republicans should review their personnel security.

"When we broke this story, unionist paramilitary representatives said republicans were being paranoid and the person involved was a community worker involved in cross community work.

"On Tuesday of last week it was reported to one of our local representatives that two cars, one containing one man and the other three men, were observed driving in and around the Bogside and Brandywell areas. The person observed the cars over several minutes and was able to identify the drivers of both. He is no doubt that from their behaviour they were acting in consort.

"They have also been seen near the homes of republicans, including those of Martin McGuinness, Mitchel McLaughlin and Declan Kearney."

The consistent involvement of the same person in these activities defies any suggestion that he is involved in any semblance of cross-community activity and ridicules other attempts in recent times to justify this type of activity, said McCartney.

He said it is "blatantly obvious that loyalism is preparing for further attacks" and urged nationalists and republicans to be vigilant and review their personal security.