Three SDLP members receive death threats in post
Newry and Mourne councillors Josephine O'Hare and Michael Carr received threats yesterday following the discovery of bullets and a sympathy card in the post for Down District Policing Partnership chairman Eamonn O'Neill.
A party spokesman said the threats to its Newry and Mourne councillors were similar to the one received by Mr O'Neill.
Earlier yesterday, Mr O'Neill branded those responsible as fascists.
He said: "Those responsible for this stunt are doing it in reaction to my membership of the local District Policing Partnership.
"It is all too easy for faceless, fascist cowards to mount this type of cheap and sinister attack, but they should realise now, if they have not realised it before, that it is not easy to intimidate SDLP members out of delivering the new beginning on policing that Patten promised.
"This is the real measure of political courage and provides much more for the community than sticking a bullet in an envelope and buying a stamp."
Last month Mass cards and packages containing white powder were sent to the offices of SDLP leader Mark Durkan, Foyle Assembly member Pat Ramsey and the chairman of the Derry District Policing Partnership, John Kerr.
Similar packages were also sent to party headquarters on Belfast's Ormeau Road and to a Cookstown DPP member in Co Tyrone.
The SDLP is the only nationalist party to have signed up to policing arrangements in the North.
Its members and nationalist members of district police boards have become the targets of mainly dissident republicans opposed to their move.
Mr Carr said those who had threatened him were "cowardly".
"My advice to the faceless individuals who sent these bullets is that we have moved on," he said.
"The days of violence are behind us and the only acceptable battle is the one for peace."
Ms O'Hare said the threat would not deter her.
"The posting of bullets to councillors will not bring anything positive to our society and will not deter the SDLP from making hard choices on the hard issues facing Newry and Mourne and the North."
Sinn Féin has refused to take seats on the boards because it says the British Government has not delivered the new beginning to policing.
The SDLP's deputy leader Alasdair McDonnell condemned the latest incident.
"To those who sent the bullets we have a very clear and simple message - the SDLP will continue to be at the forefront of policing change and will continue to view your pointless bully- boy tactics with the contempt they deserve."
