Valentine card with bullet sent to SF councillor

A SINN FÉIN councillor was sent a bullet taped inside a Valentine card yesterday.

The threat to Paul Butler, a party member of Lisburn Council, Co Antrim, came as police confirmed a number of people in the greater Belfast area have been warned their names and addresses are in the hands of loyalist paramilitaries.

Ulster Defence Association death threats have also been issued against three postal staff.

Mr Butler took delivery of the card just a fortnight after moving into a new home. He claimed police had been given his address when he applied to be included in a protection scheme because of fears for his safety.

Meanwhile, the police alert in the greater Belfast area has been linked to the recovery of a computer disc in Carrickfergus, Co Antrim, at the height of last month’s bitter feud involving rival UDA factions.

A spokeswoman said: “A number of people have been advised over the past two weeks to take steps to review their security arrangements.”

Three Catholic postal workers received death threats from loyalist paramilitaries.

The threats, alleged to be from the Red Hand Defenders, a cover name for the Ulster Defence Association, were issued in the last week. It is understood the threats were directed at two managers and one postman based at a sorting office in the city.

A Royal Mail spokeswoman said: “There have been three postal workers who have received threats this week.

“These threats are now the subject of a police investigation and we are doing all we can to help them.”

SDLP Assembly member Alban Maginness condemned those responsible for issuing the threats and demanded they be withdrawn immediately.

The north Belfast MLA said the Communication Workers Union was considering taking strike action in the wake of the threats.