Death threats issued against Sinn Féin members

Speaking today after a unionist paramilitary group issued death threats and claimed to have left devices at a Sinn Féin Office and a number of members family homes, Sinn Féin's Carál NíChuilín said:

“Today a telephoned threat from the Orange Volunteers was received in the North Belfast Sinn Féin Office. The caller claimed to have left bombs at our office and family homes and threatened to carry out shootings against Gerry Kelly, my adviser Mary McArdle and myself.

“Over time there have been a number of threats from loyalists and indeed devices have previously been left at our North Belfast Office.

"Over the years there have been a number of Sinn Féin elected representatives and party workers murdered by unionist paramilitaries. When this campaign was at its height there was a parallel campaign in sections of the media and from unionist politicians vilifying and demonising Sinn Féin and our elected representatives. It was a central element of creating the conditions in which attacks on Sinn Féin could take place.

“There have been echoes of a similar campaign in certain media circles in recent days regarding Sinn Féin generally and Mary McArdle in particular. Those driving this campaign cannot divorce themselves from the threats which have been issued today. And I am very concerned that Alban Maguinness has joined the likes of Jim Allister in this attempted vilification of Sinn Féin.

“I have every confidence in Mary McCardle and Sinn Féin will not allow ourselves to be intimidated either by direct threats or by people creating conditions in which these types of threats are made. In the recent elections we received an increased mandate to continue with our work representing citizens and delivering change. That will remain our focus.”