Postal workers return to work today

Delivery services throughout most of Northern Ireland were returning to normal today after postal workers decided to call off their stoppage.

All mail has been halted since Saturday’s murder of Catholic postman Daniel McColgan by the loyalist Ulster Defence Association.

The killing followed a threat to kill Catholic postal staff by the Red Hand Defenders, a cover name used by the UDA and the Loyalist Volunteer Force.

But the Communications Union recommended a return to work after Assistant Chief Constable Alan McQuillan said he was 90% sure the threats had been bogus.

Postal staff in Derry were meeting this morning to decide whether they should return to work.

Mass rallies are to take place in Belfast, Derry and Enniskillen against continuing loyalist violence.

Loyalist paramilitary leaders continued to respond to pressure to call off their sectarian campaign of violence.

A statement was issued by the so-called Red Hand Defenders, saying they had lifted their death threats against teachers and postal workers after meeting with unionist politicians.

They said they stood by their earlier announcement that they were disbanding.

It added: ‘‘All death threats to Catholic postal workers and teachers have been lifted indefinitely.’’

Leaders of the postal workers and teachers welcomed the announcement, but said the disgraceful threats should never have been made.

Eamonn O’Kane, general secretary designate of the NASUWT teaching union, welcomed the statement.

But he added: ‘‘I think teachers and postal workers are entitled to feel a degree of scepticism. It is a disgrace that the threats were issued in the first place.

‘‘Having said that, obviously I hope very, very much that things can return to normal in schools in north Belfast, including Holy Cross, so that teachers can get on with the task they are charged with, which is educating the young.’’

Peter Hamill, branch secretary of the Communication Workers Union, said: ‘‘This is excellent news, I am delighted, absolutely delighted.’’

Mr Hamill said despite going back to work, his members had still wanted an ‘‘unequivocal statement’’ there was no longer a threat.

Postal staff will be among thousands of workers expected to gather for a series of protest rallies across Northern Ireland on Friday.

The rallies have been called by the trade unions to express their abhorrence at the murder of Mr McColgan and the threats to workers.