Newry Armagh Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

UVF decommissioning welcomed but concerns remain - Murphy

Published: 10 September, 2009

Sinn Fein MP for Newry/Armagh, Conor Murphy has welcomed the report from the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD) which confirms that the UVF/RHC have dealt with the issue of putting its arms beyond use. However, he also raised concerns about the UDA.

Mr Murphy said:

"Confirmation that the UVF have finally dealt with the issue of arms is welcome.

"However, the situation within the UDA is simply not good enough especially given the evidence of continuing Unionist paramilitary violence, much of which is the work of the UDA.

"The issue of Unionist paramilitary arms should have been dealt with long before now.

"There is evidence of the orchestrated involvement of Unionist paramilitaries, and particularly the UDA, in sectarian violence across the North. People are well aware of their involvement in violence particularly in in places like Coleraine which resulted in the murder of Kevin McDaid.

"All these issues must be addressed not just by the Unionist groups themselves but also by the unionist parties.

"Where there is evidence of Unionist paramilitary involvement in sectarian violence and intimidation it is essential that the PSNI and Courts protect the right of people to live free from the activities of these Unionist gangs and criminals.

"Politics is now working and there is no basis for any organisation holding onto arms."