Housing workers walk out in NI after threats

Home repair workers in the North staged a walkout yesterday after coming under threat from loyalist paramilitaries.

Around 40 employees at a Housing Executive’s office dealing with the Ballysillan area walked out after being warned not to carry out any repairs or let out any more houses in the staunchly loyalist area.

A contractor and a maintenance officer were also confronted by a mob in Ballysillan and ordered to leave.

The threats came a day after the Executive refused demands from a Ballysillan resident to give an empty house next door to her friend.

Union representatives have insisted that their members will not go back into the area until their safety is assured.