Irish diplomat moved out of Belfast after UDA threats

A senior Irish diplomat has been transferred out of Belfast due to death threats from loyalist paramilitaries.

The woman, who is originally from Cork, was attached to the British-Irish Secretariat and had been working to persuade the UDA to leave violence behind.

However, it emerged today that she was transferred back to Dublin last month after receiving threats from the loyalist group.

The move followed police advice that the threats should be taken seriously.

Belfast priest Fr Aidan Troy, who knows the diplomat, has appealed to the UDA to lift the threat against her, saying she is very open-minded and has no axe to grind.