150-strong UDA mob in Larne rampage

» Peadar Whelan

During the assaults one man was beaten with a sledge-hammer while a second man was hit with a hammer as he tried to protect his three-year-old child.

THE PSNI and both Unionist parties have been challenged by Sinn Féin's Oliver McMullan MLA to confront the South East Antrim Ulster Defence Association (UDA) over the loyalist gang's “terror campaign” in the east Antrim area.

The East Anrim MLA was speaking to An Phoblacht just hours after UDA mobs numbering between 150 to 200 men attacked homes in the Ferris Avenue and Craigy Hill areas of Larne.

The Sinn Féin politician said the invasion came about after an incident in the town on Saturday when a young man, with a loyalist background, was involved in a fight with people connected to the South East Antrim UDA – which has split from the mainstream organisation.

According to McMullan, UDA bosses summoned up to 200 people linked to the UDA to Carrickfergus where they planned the revenge attack.

“They were told to leave their mobile phones outside the meeting to ensure the planned invasion wouldn’t be leaked,” says McMullan.

During the assaults one man was beaten with a sledge-hammer while a second man was hit with a hammer as he tried to protect his three-year-old child.

The Sinn Féin MLA was critical of the PSNI who he believes could have done more to arrest the UDA gangs:

“There is only one way out of Larne going to Carrickfergus and I believe the PSNI could have deployed its Tactical Support Groups (TSG) to make arrests.

“I am also very critical of both unionist parties who ignore the activities of the UDA in this area, they take a very benign view of the activities of these thugs.”

He added:

“Someone will be killed unless something is done about the UDA here”.

Just last September the UDA threatened bar owners in Larne telling them not to serve Catholics.

McMullan went on to say that this is “the third or fourth time members of this family has been targeted”.

McMullan also revealed that he has been subject to death threats as a result of his challenges to the UDA.