THE RUC in Derry confirmed last night it was investigating a claim that milk produced by Donegal Creameries had been contaminated. An unnamed UFF source claimed pesticide had been injected into Freshfields milk cartons. No code word was attached to the claim.
Gardai have advised the company's chief executive, Mr John Keon, and his four directors to take seriously the telephone death threats to them. The UFF issued the threats because of what it called intense pressure from Derry loyalists on behalf of Donegal Protestants.
The threats follow the company's decision to buy the 3,000 acre An Grianan estate farm in Donegal. Last month, bailiffs acting on foot of a High Court order evicted members of the Graham family from the farm.
But Mr Keon, whose company paid the Irish National Bank £3.7 million for the farm last Wednesday, last night said he believed the scare was "spurious" and "the threat was business motivated rather than political".
"It's a scare story basically and an extension of what's gone before. I can assure you our products are tamper proof. We have a double checking procedure at the point of entry and exit from our plant.
We deal only in milk, not in cheese or ancillary products. It's been suggested that outlets have been targeted in Limavady and Derry we have no outlets in either place, so I wonder about these reports.
"I believe the threat is business rather than politically motivated. And I repeat that if those who are making the threat were properly briefed on the full facts here in Donegal, they would review their position."
Mr Keon said Monday's extension of the threat to his directors chairman, Mr Alexander Tinney, vice chairman, Mr Ivan Greer, Mr David Gregg and Mr Geoffrey Vance was very strange".
"It's bad enough me being under the cosh but to target four farmers as well is bordering on the incredible.
"There is no sectarianism here in Donegal. Both communities get on very well together and my fellow directors and many shareholders are non-Catholic. That's why this situation needs to be sorted out and hopefully soon."
The Graham family, who bought the farm in 1989 for more than £3 million and who were evicted because of their failure to repay a loan from the National Irish Bank, dissociated themselves from and condemned the threats.
An RUC statement said last night. "Milk produced by the company Donegal Creameries is sold in the province under the brand name Freshfields. At this stage there is no evidence whatsoever to substantiate the claim, but as a precaution, police would advise any shop or supermarket which stocks milk with the Freshfields brand name to check their stocks and to report any sign of tampering immediately. Similarly, anyone who has recently purchased Freshfields milk is advised to check cartons for any sign of tampering."