Threatened ex-soldiers need our support
THE death threats to former soldiers in the Ulster Defence Regiment are despicable and must be taken seriously.
More than 15 former part-time soldiers, now living in the Mid Ulster area, are known to have been warned by the police to increase their personal security.
The former soldiers live in the Cookstown and Magherafelt areas and the police have told them that dissident republicans are targeting them.
Apparently the dissidents have been gathering intelligence on the former UDR members and have identified the vehicles they drive and where they work.
It is reported they have even identified the churches the former soldiers attend.
Six men, who served in the same UDR platoon some years ago, have all received warnings from the security forces.
The threat from the dissident republicans is a very serious development. We have already seen that the dissidents are capable of inflicting huge pain on our community.
The murder of two young soldiers at Massareene Barracks and the murder of a police officer in Lurgan were followed by a vicious attack on another police officer near Randalstown.
There were other attempts on the lives of members of the security forces where the intended targets were fortunate to escape.
Now, it seems that the dissidents have turned their attention to brave men who served this community during some of the worst times during the Troubles.
The UDR paid a heavy price for the courage shown by part-time and full-time soldiers who served this community against the common enemy of terrorism.
We owe them a great deal of gratitude and people who have any information about the evil plans of the dissidents must pass it on immediately to the police.
The security forces protected us when we needed them most, and it is now our responsibility to support them.
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Weather for Belfast
Thursday 24 May 2012
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Temperature: 12 C to 23 C
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