IRA STILL THREATENING TO KILL - ALLISTER
06 July 2007
IRA STILL ISSUING DEATH THREATS - ALLISTER
Jim Allister MEP has claimed that the IRA is still in the business of issuing death threats. His comments come following correspondence with Chief Constable's office concerning the Zaitschek case, arising from the Castlereagh break-in.
Statement by Jim Allister MEP
"On 19 June I wrote to Sir Hugh Orde in the following terms:-
'The Sunday Business Post recently reported you had written to Larry Zaitschek advising that his estranged partner is still under threat from the IRA. Is this correct, that is, did you so advise Mr Zaitschek and is this lady still under threat from the IRA?'
I have now received a reply from D/Chief Superintendent Wright, Head of Branch C1, which confirms that Mrs Zaitschek's life is indeed at risk. In the course of his reply D/Supt Wright says:-
'Mrs Zaitschek remains within the Witness Protection Scheme. Given the nature of this investigation and those involved, my belief has remained the same, which is that should Mrs Zaitschek's whereabouts become known, that her life and that of her family would be at risk.'
Given the precise focus of my question I can only interpret this response as confirming that it is the Provisional IRA which threatens this lady's life. This is appalling, but to me not surprising. Though supposedly stood down it is clear that when it serves their purposes the IRA is still very much in the business of threatening life and, as here, would take life if given the opportunity.
I do not waste my time calling on the double-speak McGuinness to condemn this outrageous situation, but I do challenge the First Minister to declare what action he proposes to take now that it is confirmed that the IRA of his partner party is threatening the life of a court witness. How does this fit with the full support of the rule of law which Dr Paisley promised us Sinn Fein/IRA had delivered? He promised action, if Sinn Fein defaulted. I suspect we will wait in vain.
I am also drawing this matter and my correspondence to the attention of the IMC."
