UVF death threat
UVF blamed for McCord death threat
By David Gordon
30 March 2005
A father campaigning to expose his son’s UVF killers today revealed that he has been warned of another threat to his life.
Raymond McCord was ironically warned of the plot last night after visiting the family of Robert McCartney, the Short Strand man stabbed to death by republicans.
He said he was visited by police at his home and told that “individuals” in north Belfast are planning an attack on him.
“I have no doubt UVF members are behind this. I have had about 12 other threat warnings.
“I had just met with the McCartney family at their home to discuss their case and voice my support for their campaign for justice,” he said.
“They are fighting the same battle as I am - against paramilitaries.”
Mr McCord’s 22-year-old son Raymond was beaten to death by a UVF gang in 1997.
He has alleged that the murder was carried out on the orders of a high-level police informer.
Police Ombudsman Nuala O’Loan is conducting a major probe into his claims and is due to publish her findings later this year.
Mr McCord today issued a defiant message to those behind the latest threat.
“They are not going to stop the truth coming out. Mrs O’Loan’s report is going to be published and I believe it will vindicate what I have been saying.”
Mr McCord also challenged the PUP, the UVF’s political wing, about the threat.
PUP leader David Ervine, who is out of the country at present, today said: “Raymond McCord is the most written-about parent in the world, in a country where over 3,500 people died.
“I just can’t see the logic or the rationale why the UVF would want to do anything to Raymond McCord.
“This situation has been going on for a very, very long time.”
