The Alliance Party has called on the British government to confront the issue of paramilitary violence by warning the political wings of the organisations involved that they will face exclusion from government if they do not abide by non-violence rules.
Referring to shootings by the Provisional IRA, and particularly the weekend murder of Belfast man Mr Andy Kearney who is believed to have been shot dead by IRA members from west Belfast, Alliance called on the Northern Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, to confront Sinn Fein and the two loyalist parties with paramilitary links.
The acting Alliance leader, Mr Sean Neeson, raised the issue after meeting the RUC Chief Constable, Mr Ronnie Flanagan, in Belfast yesterday. Mr Neeson discussed the paramilitary violence by loyalists who intimidated at least 20 Catholics from their homes in his own home town of Carrickfergus, Co Antrim. "We expressed our concern about the involvement of paramilitary organisations in the orchestration and participation in many of the violent confrontations in recent times.
"The violence in Carrickfergus was also high on the agenda and we were given every assurance that whatever resources were required, they would be provided to tackle the problems in Carrickfergus and elsewhere.
"The continuation of paramilitary beatings and shootings was another issue that was discussed and I believe that the Secretary of State has to address this serious issue. I think Mo Mowlam needs to confront the political parties whose paramilitary organisations are not demonstrating clearly peaceful methods."
The message should be sent to Sinn Fein: "If you don't abide by the Mitchell Principles you are ruling yourself out of government in Northern Ireland."