Residents fear for lives after 'PIRA issues death threats'
Bimpe Fatogun

Members of a Co Antrim community association who split from Sinn Féin four months ago, claim that they have received death threats from the Provisional IRA. 

Paddy Murray, chairman of Rathenraw Community Association in Antrim town, said he fears for his life after a man in a balaclava visited his home while he was out. 

He also claimed two female youth workers were told their "days are numbered". 

In a statement, the community association called for Sinn Féin representatives to use their influence to bring the "intimidation" to an end. 

"What the residents of Rathenraw and the Rathenraw Community Association want is an end to the threats and intimidation that have been visited upon them," it said. 

"They want the right to democracy and to voice their displeasure with their political representatives without fear of repercussions or losing their homes." 

A Sinn Féin spokesman rejected the claims, insisting: "Sinn Féin are not in the business of making threats to anybody". 

He also added that while he did not speak for armed republicanism he was "not aware of anybody from the IRA coming into Antrim". 

Meanwhile, veteran republican John Kelly, who recently left the party amid claims it was a "control dictatorship", has added his support to the community association. 

"I find it disturbing that a group of people who choose to differ from Sinn Féin and resigned from Sinn Féin should be harassed and intimidated in this way," he said. 

"If we are looking at parity of esteem and if you're looking for the rights of the individual to express their concerns you are facing a stark contradiction."