Hain to say loyalist ceasefire is over

LOYALIST paramilitaries who brought their gunmen onto the streets of Belfast during ferocious rioting are set to have their ceasefire declared over.

As protesters brought new traffic chaos on routes out of the city, Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain finalised plans to deliver an official verdict on the terrorists within the next 48 hours.

Two nights of violence that gripped the city and surrounding towns, leaving 50 police officers injured, has removed all British government doubts about ending their recognition of the Ulster Volunteer Force’s (UVF) so-called truce.

Horrified by footage of snipers shooting at security lines during the mayhem, Mr Hain confirmed he would issue his assessment within days.

Mr Hain, who has studied an Independent Monitoring Commission dossier on the UVF’s killing spree against rival factions which left four men dead, may also take action against the Ulster Defence Association (UDA).

Both were blamed by Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Chief Constable Hugh Orde for the gun, petrol and blast-bomb attacks which left parts of Belfast in flames as rioters hit the streets in protest at a controversially re-routed Orange Order march.

Mr Hain did not confirm either loyalist organisation would be specified, but following talks with Mr Orde he admitted he would be making a fresh assessment.

He declared: “The evidence I have seen is absolutely clear-cut. “As a result, I’m now going through ... a process in which I will be making an announcement in the next few days.”

Blast, petrol and paint bombs were hurled at police and soldiers in Belfast and parts of Co Antrim and Co Down throughout the weekend.

Last night a crowd forced the closure of Broadway roundabout, west Belfast causing traffic chaos on the M1 motorway out of the city. Up to 60 women and children also blocked off the main Lisburn to Dunmurry Road in Co Antrim.

Although 13 people were arrested in east Belfast where a 700-strong mob clashed with police on Sunday night, detectives have been studying CCTV to identify those who plotted the rioting.

Six of those arrested at the weekend, including a 15-year-old youth, appeared at Belfast Magistrates Court today. Four were remanded in custody and two bailed.