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Sms minacciosi spediti da UVF ai residenti di Shankill

Shankill UVF intimidation texts sent

UTV understands that people living on Belfast’s Shankill Road have been receiving text messages claiming to be from UVF, warning the community not to support any protests held in tribute to a man shot dead last week.

Sms da UVF | UVF text messageBobby Moffett, 43, was shot in the face and chest by two masked men in broad daylight on Friday.

A number of vigils have been held by the family and members of the local community in protest at the killing.

However, many people have received texts to intimidate them into not showing their support.

A text message seen by UTV reads: “Anyone seen to be giving support to the Bobby protests will be put off the Shankill Road. We (U-V-F) will not stand by and watch these protests carry on for much longer … U-V-F”

UTV understands photographs of Bobby Moffett as he lay dying are also being sent to mobile phones.

Mr Moffett is understood to have been a one-time member of the Red Hand Commandos who fell out with UVF leaders after his young nephew was beaten and ordered out of Northern Ireland.

A number of arrests have been made in connection with the muder, but all those questioned have now been released.

Earlier on Wednesday, the leader of the Progressive Unionist Party – which is linked to the UVF – called for an end to the ongoing intimidation in the area following reports of intimidation by the loyalist paramilitary group.

“The PUP strongly supports the rights of all individuals who would like to express their grief over the killing of Bobby Moffett and support for the Moffett family to freely attend all funeral and memorial services without fear,” Dawn Purvis said.

“The PUP unreservedly condemns the murder of Bobby Moffett and shares the outrage of Shankill residents over the manner in which this attack took place.”

“People who would like to register a protest over the killing should be able to do so peacefully and lawfully.”

It comes after Ms Purvis said there would be “serious consequences” if speculation about those responsible for the killing proved correct.

Tracey Coulter, whose father was murdered by the UVF, told UTV the atmosphere on the Shankill is “absolutely terrible”.

“The UVF instead of hanging their heads in shame, they are intimidating people who are standing paying respect or laying flowers to the brutal slaying of Bobby,” she said.

“To live on the Shankill at the moment is disgusting. You can’t walk up the Shankill with looking around you to see if you are going to be taunted or if abuse is going to be shouted at you.

“Basically the UVF have ripped the community apart. They have ripped the heart of the Shankill to pieces.

“But sure the UVF is on ceasefire! It’s a joke!”

A community worker who witnessed Bobby Moffett’s murder and tried to resuscitate him has spoken of his anger.

“He was a mess and I just got him in the recovery position and made sure he was breathing, and he was breathing until the ambulance came and I hoped and prayed that he would somehow recover. It was just horrible,” community worker Jim Weir told UTV.

“The people of the Shankill are good decent people and I want to bring my boys up without fear and without threat.

“It’s not just one paramilitary group, it’s them all. It’s not a legacy of the Troubles, it’s the ongoing Troubles”

Vigil

A vigil will be held on Thursday night, on the eve of Bobby Moffett’s funeral.

Church leaders in the area have urged politicians to stand in solidarity with local people.

Many people have spontaneously turned up each night since last Sunday and have quietly observed a vigil in support of the Moffett family.

Ministers say Thursday’s vigil will not be taken over by the church, but church leaders and members will be asked to stand silently and prayerfully and will offer to conclude the vigil with a prayer.

Mr Moffett’s elderly mother, 79-year-old Susan Moffett, told UTV she wants no retaliation for her son’s killing.

But when asked if the UVF ceasefire was over, she answered: “Yes.”

Branding those who murdered her son “scum”, she said: “They’re out for all the money they can get”.

There has been no official confirmation which, if any, paramilitary group was involved in the murder.

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René Querin

Di professione grafico e web designer, sono appassionato di trekking e innamorato dell'Irlanda e della sua storia. Insieme ad Andrea Varacalli ho creato e gestisco Les Enfants Terribles.

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