INLA protection racket targets city businesses
Irish News
By Barry McCaffrey
19/07/08
Nationalist politicians and Catholic clergy last night demanded an end to a suspected INLA extortion campaign against businessmen in Belfast.
Ardoyne priest Fr Aidan Troy last night confirmed that he had been approached by a number of businessmen in north Belfast who have been threatened that they will be killed unless they hand over tens of thousands of pounds to individuals claiming to be from the INLA.
At least one of the businessmen targeted has had a blast-bomb thrown at his home.
“This is by no means an isolated incident,” Fr Troy said.
“I have been approached by a number of businessmen who are in real fear that they and their families are going to be killed or seriously injured.
“I’ve been in contact with the police who are taking these threats very seriously.
“Someone is going to be killed or seriously injured unless this type of thing is stamped out now.”
Demanding that the death threats against the families be lifted, SDLP assembly member Alban Maginness said: “This is nothing more than mafia- style extortion which is designed solely to fill the pockets of those involved. They need to get off the backs of the community.
“They are targeting people who are providing a service to the community and employing local people.
“If this extortion is allowed to continue there is a real possibility that some of these businesses could go to the wall.”
Calling on the INLA to call off the threats, he said: “There is clear evidence that there are on those on the fringes of the INLA who are engaged in serious criminality.
“All they are interested in is extorting money from people who are trying to make an honest living.
“It is neither republican nor socialist. They’re putting these poor families through hell and I am calling on them to stop it now.
“Either the INLA wants to be part of the peace process or not. They can’t have it both ways.”
Sinn Fein assembly member Caral Ni Chuilin said she was aware of a number of recent attempts to extort money from businessmen in north Belfast.
“This is nothing more than parasites feeding off the backs of the people.
“No-one should be extorting anyone. It is wrong and must stop now.
“This community has suffered enough and does not need gangsters targetting them in this way.”
No-one from the INLA was available for comment last night.
