15 January 1998 Edition
LVF active in Antrim
By Peadar Whelan
CATHOLIC RESIDENTS of two housing estates in Antrim town are terrified that the LVF is planning attacks in the area.
An Phoblacht spoke to one resident who said the LVF have been very active in the area since the death of Billy Wright and that known loyalists have been cruising the Rathenraw and Springfarm estates.
``One of the main movers in the upsurge is an ex-PUP man who chaired the local branch and stood for the party in recent elections. He was seen carrying Billy Wright's coffin,'' the man said.
The caller also expressed residents' fears that the RUC were turning a blind eye to the LVF activity. On the eve of Wright's funeral 15 to 20 armed men set up roadblocks and stopped and searched cars in the Ballycraigy, Parkhill and Newpark estates. During the display shots were fired in tribute to Wright.
``The RUC say they have increased patrols but my 16 year old son saw a car with loyalists driving casually around the estate while the RUC just drove past them. The RUC aren't that concerned it seems''.
The caller also said he believed the LVF unit involved in the killing of Sean Brown from Bellaghy, whose body was found near Randalstown, is based in Antrim which is only miles from the spot where Brown's body was found.
CATHOLIC RESIDENTS of two housing estates in Antrim town are terrified that the LVF is planning attacks in the area.
An Phoblacht spoke to one resident who said the LVF have been very active in the area since the death of Billy Wright and that known loyalists have been cruising the Rathenraw and Springfarm estates.
``One of the main movers in the upsurge is an ex-PUP man who chaired the local branch and stood for the party in recent elections. He was seen carrying Billy Wright's coffin,'' the man said.
The caller also expressed residents' fears that the RUC were turning a blind eye to the LVF activity. On the eve of Wright's funeral 15 to 20 armed men set up roadblocks and stopped and searched cars in the Ballycraigy, Parkhill and Newpark estates. During the display shots were fired in tribute to Wright.
``The RUC say they have increased patrols but my 16 year old son saw a car with loyalists driving casually around the estate while the RUC just drove past them. The RUC aren't that concerned it seems''.
The caller also said he believed the LVF unit involved in the killing of Sean Brown from Bellaghy, whose body was found near Randalstown, is based in Antrim which is only miles from the spot where Brown's body was found.