Daily Dispatch Tuesday 2nd May 2006

MAGINNESS: UDR SUBVERSION FILE JUSTIFIES DISBANDMENT

Commenting on revelations in the Irish News on collusion between the UDR and loyalist paramilitaries, SDLP Justice spokesman Alban Maginness stated:

“These revelations, though shocking, confirm what many have long believed. Many UDR members were also loyalist paramilitaries. They had a dual allegiance - and helped loyalist paramilitaries acquire guns for their murderous campaign.

“People who were meant to be upholding the law flouted it. People who were meant to be protecting life took it. People who were meant to be reassuring the public, in fact terrorised them.

“What is most shocking, however, is what the British Government did in response - absolutely nothing. Instead, they increased the role of the UDR - exposing the public to further danger.

“The home regiments of the RIR - which took over from the UDR - are now being disbanded. Today’s revelations show that this is long overdue - and should have happened decades ago.”

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. The Irish News of 2 May 2006 revealed British documents showing military intelligence believed that:

- an estimated 5-15% of UDR soldiers were linked to loyalist paramilitaries;
- the “best single source of weapons, and the only significant source of modern weapons, for Protestant extremist groups was the UDR.”
- feared that UDR were loyal to “Ulster” rather than “Her Majesty’s Government”
- knew that UDR weapons were being used in the murder and attempted murder of Catholics

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