Security sources in Belfast have expressed concern that the loyalist feud could worsen after its latest victim is buried today. Despite appeals from church and community leaders, there is no sign of mediation to end the violence which has claimed three lives.
The funeral will take place today of Mr Samuel Rockett (22), who was shot dead by the UDA in front of his girlfriend and one-year-old daughter at their home in Summer Street off the Shankill Road on Wednesday night. Mr Rockett was targeted because of family connections with the Progressive Unionist Party, the UVF's political wing. The attack was in retaliation for the UVF double murder on Monday of Mr Bobby Mahood and Mr Jackie Coulter.
The security forces last night mounted a search operation in the lower Shankill area. RUC officers in riot gear, supported by British soldiers sealed off Boundary Way. Army bomb disposal vehicles were also at the scene. A number of imitation firearms were found in a house on the street. Two people were arrested and released without charge.
The commander of the Shankill UDA, Johnny Adair, lived in the area until he was re-arrested and returned to jail on Tuesday. Security sources said weekend events were all-important. "If we can keep a lid on it over the next 48 hours, there is a better chance of cooler heads next week. But unfortunately the feeling on the ground is that this thing is far from over and it could hot up.
The discovery of 1 1/2 kilos of explosives in the Shankill on Thursday has led to fears that the UDA is planning a massive spate of pipe-bomb attacks on the homes of UVF and PUP members.
Six men being questioned about another arms find on the Shankill were released without charge yesterday. The weapons have been linked to the UVF.
So far UDA and UVF units in south and east Belfast have not become involved in the feud. But loyalist figures believe the Shankill UDA remains intent on further revenge for the UVF double murder and that it does not consider Mr Rockett's death adequate retribution. Moderate UDA leaders have called for compromise but a UDA source said: "The UVF started the murders. They have killed two people. We have to even up the score." The loyalist feud was discussed when Sinn Fein met the Northern Secretary, Mr Peter Mandelson for 90 minutes yesterday. Mr Martin McGuinness expressed concern about developments within the UDA and its political wing, the Ulster Democratic Party.
He said the UDP chairman, Mr John White, must explain whether he still supported the peace process. "John White, in particular, has a huge role to play in all this. He must make his decision very clear with regard to the peace process and the Good Friday agreement. Many people in the community would like to see him play a constructive role in sorting all this out.
"People involved in this dispute need to stand back, draw breath and consider where this is taking us before any more lives are lost."
Mr White said he did not need to answer Mr McGuinness. He remained committed to the Belfast Agreement which was "the best deal loyalists could expect to get".
An Alliance Party delegation also met Mr Mandelson. Afterwards the party's deputy leader, Mr Seamus Close, said it had been a week of "outright criminality, senseless revenge murders and chilling displays by armed thugs in the open air".
While the Alliance Party supported the decision to return Johnny Adair to jail, the Northern Secretary had to take further action, he said.