Unionist paramilitaries blockade dole office

A gang of unionist thugs linked to the LVF have been conducting a campaign of terror and intimidation outside a County Down dole office.

The gang of loyalist drug dealers has been issuing death threats to people outside the Social Security Agency on Bridge Street in Downpatrick for months now. In the latest incident - which took place earlier this month - the PSNI had to be called in to protect terrified women and children who were trying to enter and leave the office building.

A number of men were also attacked before the PSNI arrived on the scene, and as a result of the assaults and intimidation, many people who had previously used the office have now arranged to receive their benefits through the post.

The same group of thugs has also been blamed for starting a "mini-riot" in the town earlier this year, and for a series of muggings and brutal assaults. In one instance, they attacked a shop owner after attempting to rob his store.

Sinn Féin's Eamonn Mac Con Mídhe says people can't get their benefits for fear of being attacked or intimidated.

"They are conducting a campaign of terror throughout the town and they think they can get away with it," he said.