Police investigate threat to 'protestant workers'
A republican threat to Protestant workers in west Belfast was today being investigated by the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
Belfast Lord Mayor Jim Rodgers called in the police after receiving the threat in the post at his City Hall office.
He said it consisted of two A4 sheets of paper. One said ‘‘Catholic Reaction Force’’ and the other warned ‘‘all Protestant workers in west Belfast to beware’’.
Mr Rodgers said both he and the police were taking the threat seriously and urged all Protestant workers in the west of the city to be on their guard.
‘‘The Catholic Reaction Force, a cover name used by the IRA, have been responsible for killing and maiming people down the years,’’ he said.
Mr Rodgers added:’’ I deplore this. I am sickened and disgusted - there are evil and sinister people in our midst.’’
The letter, postmarked Belfast, had been opened by one of his staff who alerted him. The Lord Mayor in turn contacted police.
Two officers swiftly interviewed him and took the letter away for examination.
‘‘They are taking it very seriously and said it was important to make it public,’’ said Mr Rodgers.
