Reid declares end to UDA ceasefire

Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid tonight declared an end to the loyalist paramilitary Ulster Defence Association’s ceasefire.

Two weeks after giving the organisation a final chance to end sectarian street violence, he told the leadership the truce which it announced in October l994 was over.

He said: ‘‘They have systematically breached their ceasefire and the patience of the people of Northern Ireland has run out.’’

Dr Reid also announced an end to the ceasefire by the loyalist Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), a splinter group suspected of shooting dead Northern Ireland investigative journalist Martin O’Hagan in Lurgan, Co Armagh a fortnight ago.

The Secretary of State, who made his announcement after talks with RUC Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan, said he had ‘‘clear information’’ of LVF involvement in the murder.

His decision, announced tonight at Hillsborough Castle, Co Down followed fresh trouble in Belfast’s Protestant Shankill area on Thursday night when police involved in an arms and drugs search were attacked by a mob.

Dr Reid said the UDA and LVF had showed contempt for the people of Northern Ireland, for peace and democracy.

He claimed: ‘‘They seem determined to spurn the opportunity - given to them by the people - to make the transition from violence to democracy.’’

Dr Reid he could not pretend his decision on the two organisations would change their behaviour. He warned: ‘‘They may lash out and flaunt their immorality and their contempt for the law. But there is a limit to society’s tolerance and that limit has now been reached.’’

Sinn Fein and the SDLP welcomed the announcement, but the UDA’s political wing warned of a backlash.