'˜Grow up' Sinn Fein man tells dissidents

Oliver McMullan spoke out after some people in the Glens area were hit with death threats, reportedly from the Continuity IRA, for alleged drug dealing.

Mr McMullan said he “totally condemned” those behind the threats and said that they have “no support in the local community.”

“They are living in a time warp,” said Mr McMullan.

“The issuing of death threats against a number of people in the Glens area by a criminal gang masquerading as republicans is totally wrong and I condemn it. There is no justification for these actions and I call for the threats to be lifted immediately. I wish those people would catch themselves on and stop playing cowboys and indians, grow up.

“I would discourage people from taking the law into their own hands or vigilantiism. If anyone has any information about the drug trade then they should bring it forward to the PSNI. Those issuing these threats and extorting people are just as much of a destructive element as those who peddle drugs. There can be no place for either in our society.”

Mr McMullan is urging young people not to ruin their lives through substance abuse.

“Drugs not only devastate the young people taking them but also their families,” he continued.

“I want to appeal through this paper to all those people who are dealing to go away from this area.

“If this issue is not being dealt with I would ask people to come to me and I will bring it to a higher level. If people are being put under pressure to become a courier for drug lords or being threatened let me know and I will take it to the relevant people.

“These young people are not alone, there is support available,” he concluded.

A PSNI spokesperson stated: “We do not discuss the security of any individual, individuals or groups. However, if we receive information that a person’s life may be at risk we will inform the relevant persons accordingly.

“We never ignore anything which may put an individual at risk. No inference should be drawn from this.”