Death threats have been issued against the family of murdered Belfast loyalist Mr Alan McCullough, it was claimed today.
As the one-time ally of jailed UDA terror boss Johnny Adair was being buried, his brother Kenny said the Ulster Defence Association was now plotting further attacks.
The loyalist paramilitary organisation, which killed the 21-year-old and dumped him in a shallow grave, have allegedly targeted the rest of the McCullough family because of statements given to police.
Detectives have warned Mr McCullough, his mother and four sisters their lives are in danger, he said. "Police just brought me the threat and gave me information about my personal protection and security," Mr (Kenny) McCullough said.
The UDA said it murdered Mr Alan McCullough because of his role in the assassination of Adair's bitter foe in the organisation, Mr John Gregg.
Two senior Belfast loyalists, Mr William "Mo" Courtney (39) and Mr Ihab Shoukri (29) have been charged with the killing and membership of the UDA's military wing, the Ulster Freedom Fighters.
Mr Gregg, the paramilitary commander who shot Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams, was gunned down near Belfast docks in February at the height of a brutal feud which claimed four lives.
Days later members of Mr Adair's splinter group, the self-styled 'C Company' were driven out of their powerbase in west Belfast's Lower Shankill estate.
Mr (Alan) McCullough, the unit's military commander, was among the group who fled to Scotland and Lancashire. He returned to Northern Ireland last month after apparently negotiating to have the death sentence against him lifted, but disappeared weeks later when two top UDA men called at his house.
Mrs McCullough and her son were both outspoken in their condemnation of the gang who abducted and killed Alan.
But loyalist sources close to the UDA denied any decision to target the family had been taken. One said: "You get idiots who pick up the phone and claim they represent everyone.
PA