Loyalists en route to Ahern meeting

Loyalist paramilitary representatives were on their way to Dublin tonight for talks with Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

Members of the Ulster Political Research Group were picked up in south Belfast by a silver Mercedes people carrier, which is understood to have been provided by the Irish authorities.

The Ulster Defence Association’s South Belfast Commander Jackie McDonald was among the five-man delegation which departed from the staunchly loyalist Taughmonagh Estate for Dublin this evening.

It is understood the talks with Mr Ahern were arranged after a series of meetings involving President Mary McAleese and her husband, Martin.

Frank McCoubrey, a former deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast, was joined in the talks team by fellow councillors Frankie Gallagher and Tommy Kirkham, and the group’s prisoners’ spokesman Stanley Fletcher.

He said: “This is an important meeting and we will be leaving Mr Ahern in no doubt as to what our position is.

“Some loyalists feel marginalised by this peace process and that feeling must be addressed.”

It is understood tonight’s talks will focus on a loyalist desire to have an input in the upcoming review of the Good Friday Agreement and a dispute concerning loyalist prisoners in Maghaberry Prison, Co Antrim.

The UDA has been blamed for recent hoax bombs across Belfast and attacks on prison officers’ homes.

The group said the incidents were linked to the situation at Maghaberry prison where loyalist prisoners involved in a campaign for segregation from republicans were behind serious disturbances.

It has claimed republican prisoners have been treated more favourably than loyalists.