Father of murdered paramilitary receives new death threats
Police gave Raymond McCord the most specific warnings yet of an alleged imminent attack by a notorious Ulster Volunteer Force unit.
The terrorists targeted him because of his involvement with Police Ombudsman Nuala O’Loan’s major investigation into the killing of his son Raymond Jr.
Her inquiry, centred around claims that a Special Branch informer who ordered the former RAF man’s murder in 1997 was shielded from prosecution, is believed to have uncovered damning evidence.
With the Ombudsman’s report due to be published next month, police went to Mr McCord’s home in Belfast on Wednesday and again yesterday.
Both times they alerted him to threats from the UVF’s Mount Vernon gang in the north of the city who beat his son to death and dumped his body in a quarry.
One warning said: “Raymond McCord is going to be silenced.
“He’s going to be shot or attacked within the next couple of days. This relates to the Ombudsman’s report and the damage he has done.”
Mr McCord, who has defied previous threats during his nine year justice campaign, insisted he would not be silenced.
“I’m concerned but not frightened,” he said.
“The UVF leader in Mount Vernon hasn’t the guts to come after me himself.”
Mr McCord also said the first threat came an hour after he drove past a carload of the UVF men he believes are intent on killing him.
His home has already been fitted with thousands of pounds’ worth of security after he was put on a key person’s protection scheme.
Bullet-proof windows, reinforced doors and alarm systems have been installed.
But the latest danger is expected to see those arrangements further strengthened.
“The Northern Ireland Office is reviewing the security measures at my house because of this,” Mr McCord confirmed.
“But I’m not frightened of these men, particularly their leader.”
Both the police and NIO refused to comment on an individual’s security.
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