UDA 'will ensure loyalists act responsibly'

The Ulster Defence Association has given an undertaking it will ensure loyalists living in a sectarian flashpoint area of north Belfast behave responsibly over the coming days, it was claimed today.

The Ulster Political Research Group claimed in a statement issued by members John White, Davy Mahood and Tiger’s Bay community activist Eddie McClean that they had been given an assurance by the loyalist paramilitary group that it would play a constructive role in calming the situation.

They announced: ‘‘We shall be implementing a new initiative in a genuine attempt to give the people of this area a normal sense of life which they have been denied for far too long.

‘‘We have sought and been given assurances by the UDA that they will play a constructive role in ensuring people from within their community will act responsibly to create a normal environment within their area.

‘‘We appeal to the nationalist community to play their part and ensure that every attempt is made to encourage their people to play a constructive role also.

‘‘It is our hope that both sides can work at a long-term sustained attempt, so we can create the normal environment families should expect to give their children better opportunities in life than they are getting now.’’

The statement was issued two days after some of the worst rioting this year between loyalists and police in the Tiger’s Bay and Limestone Road areas.

Police accused the UDA of orchestrating the disturbances.

On Wednesday night, they claimed there were five separate shooting incidents in the flashpoint Limestone Road area.

Loyalists also hurled 23 pipe and blast bombs and more than 30 petrol bombs at security forces, while a number of unexploded devices were taken away for forensic examination.

Thirteen police officers were injured, none seriously. No arrests were made.

Riot squad officers fired 15 plastic baton rounds. There were no reports of any injuries from those.

Addressing the Northern Ireland Policing Board yesterday, Acting Chief Constable Colin Cramphorn painted a gloomy picture about the chances of a quick solution to the sectarian strife.

He said: ‘‘There doesn’t seem to be any cause for optimism that the communities are able to move ahead together.’’