By Chathushka Perera
London, UK (CWBN)_ Adding to growing concerns over the Covid-19 pandemic, economic deterioration, political infighting and the of course the possibility of a “no-deal Brexit”, it was recently revealed that a contentious situation is developing in Northern Ireland, reflective of the regional conflict from the 1960s.
According to a Press Association report published last night (28th Nov), the North Ireland Police have informed two journalists of a credible threat to their safety issued by the South East Antrim Brigade (SEAB), a former faction of the Ulster Defence Association (UDA).
The incident follows threats levied against a Belfast Telegraph journalist just a few days ago. Amnesty International has stated that it is aware of the situation and insisted that the regional police department ought to “get a grip” of the situation.
Since journalist, Lyra McKee, was shot dead by a member of the New IRA during the Derry riot of 2019, the SEAB began their campaign of terrorizing journalists, weeks after the first anniversary of McKee’s death.
The paramilitary group, known to be one of the most dangerous and powerful factions of the UDA, has been slowly rearming and reaffirming its influence since 2014, following a long overdue disarming process that began in 2009.
In the last six years, the SEAB has been linked to at least five altercations that have led to property damage, serious injuries and deaths. The SEAB is also known to be heavily involved in the drug trade.
The North Ireland Conflict is considered to have ended with the signing of the Good Friday Agreement (1998), however, the British Government recently produced the UK Internal Market Bill in course with its Brexit trade policies.
The bill was said to be in contravention of provisions of the 1998 agreement. Unlikely as it may seem, it remains quite uncertain whether the situation would escalate further with the involvement of the Irish republican movement.
