Trimble alleges republican involvement in shooting

UUP leader David Trimble has accused republicans of being behind yesterday's shooting of a 19-year-old Catholic man in Antrim town.

Mr Trimble said he had 'good reason' to believe republicans shot Ciaran Cummings as he waited for a lift to work.

'It goes back to drugs - a number of the various forms of racketeering,' he said.

'A number of murders of Catholics by republicans have been of people who have not been sharing the profits of their business with republicans the way they ought to'.

Sinn Fein have dismissed the allegation as totally unsubstantiated.

'Even the RUC themselves are saying it was a sectarian killing,' said a party spokeswoman.

'It is appalling that this young man's family are getting dragged into the difficulties facing the peace process by David Trimble'.