Lawful Ireland ‘threatens republican moneymaking’

REPUBLICANS have failed to endorse policing because it would end their moneymaking schemes and their grip over neighbourhoods, SDLP election candidate in North Belfast, Alban Magennis, said yesterday.

At the launch of an SDLP document on crime, he said voters were telling canvassers they felt badly let down by the paramilitaries.

The SDLP justice spokesman claimed: “people are asking how come 11 years since the UDA, UVF and IRA ceasefires, seven years after parties committed to the Agreement, courageous families are denied justice, crime and paramilitary gangs rob and racketeer, and people joining a changing police service are demonised?