A LEADING Londonderry loyalist says he has reviewed his personal security in the wake of a Real IRA statement.
David Malcolm of the Ulster Political Research Group (UPRG) spoke to the Sentinel after the dissident republican group issued a New Year statement saying: "In the coming year Oglaigh na hEireann will continue to resist the occupation of Ireland by an
y and all means including the force of arms."
The UPRG man, a former soldier, said it was his belief the Real IRA was actively scanning for targets in Londonderry and these included himself.
"As the UPRG has links with the UDA, I have reviewed my own personal security. I believe I have been followed in the last 12 months. As a former soldier I have been trained to look out for this.
"I take my own security and that of my family very seriously and in view of the Real IRA statement I would urge all loyalists to do the same," he said.
Whilst the Waterside loyalist said the UPRG were used to the "rhetoric" of dissident republican groups, Mr Malcolm said whilst the UPRG remained committed to the defence of loyalist and unionist ideologies, he recognised that there are ideologies opposed to them.
"However, I don't see how these ideologies can be promoted through the use of weapons," he said.
The UPRG representative said it was his understanding that the likelihood of UDA decommissioning was not a "feasible exercise" whilst statements such as these kept appearing from the Real IRA.
"I would imagine there would be a high level discussion within the UDA and at grassroots membership level on this. Different areas have different views on this, but for example the threat in Belfast is not at such a high level as it is in Londonderry.
"This statement is going to make people worried. We need an end to this. This type of targeting carried out by the Real IRA has not been as prevalent since the 1970's, 80's and 90's," he said.
David Malcolm said there had to be a realisation amongst dissidents that the entire political dispensation had changed.
Speaking to the Sentinel he said: " There is an entire generation of children who have never heard an explosion or heard TV reports of people being killed."
The UPRG man called on politicians and the PSNI to focus more resources in dealing with threat of dissident activists.
"It is ok for politicians and the police to say the threat is minimal and continue to paper over the cracks, but it's a very dangerous ploy. Innocent civilians and police officers may be killed. Where we go from there, who knows?" said David Malcolm.
The UPRG man said that via an intermediary to the UDA it was his understanding that: "The UDA will stay prepared to defend their communities through whatever means necessary, but it would urge the PSNI to take the lead role in this."
