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THE THREE MAIN loyalist organisations in the North – the UDA, the UVF and Red Hand Commando – have condemned criminality in their community.
The groups have also recommitted themselves to the principles of the Good Friday Agreement at a joint press briefing today.
The groups say that any criminal activity will put members outside of them.
The move was welcomed by the PSNI, whose Chief Constable George Hamilton said:
“I welcome the explicit commitment to peace and the Rule of Law in today’s statement. I would also acknowledge the hard work of those in progressive loyalism and encourage them to continue their efforts to completely remove illegal paramilitary organisations from our communities.
“20 years on from the Peace Agreement it is disappointing that we are still in a place where there are statements about paramilitary violence and criminality.
“Our communities do not want to live in fear of violence. The Loyalist Community Council must support people in giving information to the police.
“There are no grey areas when it comes to the rule of law.”
DUP leader Arlene Foster said the commitment contrasted to Gerry Adams’ comments to a German newspaper at the weekend. Adams had said violence can be a legitimate means to an end “in given circumstances”. He added the circumstances in the North during The Troubles were “that people were being denied their rights”.
Foster said:
““I welcome the Combined Loyalist Statement which opposes and condemns all forms of criminality. It stands in stark contrast to Gerry Adams’ latest justification for violence.
“It is time for those who use criminality, to get off the backs of their communities. Their objectives are not political but rather power and profit. I support the police in putting them out of business and behind bars once and for all.
“We have and will continue to help those who want to transition into politics. Violence has no place in our society.”
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Very brave lady and best wishes to you. Can’t help but think it would send an even stronger message if he was locked up for the full sentence and none of this early release good behavior B.S
@Marc Murphy: yes .. I think that good lady will be fearful of his release , as anyone would be . Wouldn’t think he will be welcomed into the prison or when he is released though.
And Hopefully Sends a Strong Message to Other Men.
@The Divils Avocado: he’s not a man, No man would do that to a woman. What he is, is unprintable here.
@The Divils Avocado: Hopefully it sends a strong message to other judges.
@The Divils Avocado: Coercive control does not always include physical abuse and only men as perpetrators. We are decades behind other Western countries understanding or addressing that.
And sends an equally strong message to abusers too.
The Victim is the real hero in this story. To be put under that kind of abuse and threat and still go to the Authorities and fight him is absolutely awesome. Kudos to you. You Deserve all the happiness in the world.
Great for the courts and Gardai to back her up as well, it’s a fantastic day for Justice in Ireland.
Howcome this is not attempted murder
@Trevor Connolly: No intent motive? Circumstances considered by our justice prior to charges.
10 years is not enough. Throw away the key. There’s no place on this earth for a lowlife like that.
Waiting for landmark case of coercive control abuse with no physical abuse involved.
Insidious is the word. People like this guy should be rooted out.
My comment earlier got deleted – I assume because I said “Thank you, Laura Richards!” Laura is not the poor lady who survived the attacks. Laura Richards is former Scotland Yard and it is she who works with police and governments around the world, including Northern Ireland and us here, to educate and change / bring in laws in cases of coercive control and stalking. Check her out! https://www.laurarichards.co.uk/about-me/. The lady in this case is very brave. I wish her a continued recovery. I also hope her bravery will help others in similar situations make a life saving decision and seek help.
As it’s the first conviction of this nature I wouldn’t be surprised if the length of the sentence is appealed.
Let’s hope that this lowlife has a hard time at the hands of the other inmates
I hope the same results would happen if it was a woman who was charged but don’t think so because the State isn’t interested in that sort of thing.
He will have a hard time in prison. I really hope so.
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