THE UVF, under its cover name the Protestant Action Force (PAF), has compiled a new death list of 15 people in the north Co Down area whom it claims are involved in drugs dealing. The warning has raised fears of an escalation in loyalist paramilitary and IRA attacks on alleged drugs dealers.
The PAF has already issued death threats against 10 people in Ballymena and Ant rim whom it also alleges are engaged in drugs trafficking.
And yesterday a previously unheard of loyalist group admitted carrying out a so called punishment beating in North Down. The group, Loyalists Against Thuggery (LAT), threatened further attacks on alleged drugs dealers and others involved in "antisocial behaviour".
Since April 1994, seven people have been killed by the IRA and Direct Action Against Drugs (DAAD), a suspected cover name for the IRA.
These latest loyalist threats, viewed as mimicking IRA actions, have raised security concerns that the targeting of suspected drug dealers may escalate.
The PAF statement warned that the 14 men and one woman on its new death list would be "well advised" to leave Northern Ireland for their own safety.
The group claimed the IS people from Newtownards and Millisie, Co Down were involved in drug dealing and that the PAF was prepared to "take the necessary steps to remove them from society".
In its statement to the Down Spectator in Bangor, the group said "decent loyalists" were suffering as a result of the activities of the alleged drugs dealers, who also allegedly engaged in house breaking and other criminal activities.
Mr William Smyth of the Progressive Unionist Party, which reflects UVF thinking, said it would try and have the death threats lifted. "We believe nobody should be the law but the RUC. These matters should he dealt with by the RUC," he added.
The warning from the PAF followed on the emergence of Loyalists Against Thuggery (LAT)," which admitted beating a man ink his 20s in Bangor, Co Down. LAT, accepted that the assault was "barbaric" but warned there would be further similar attacks.
The group stated it was acting without the authorisation of the Combined Loyalist Military Command, although this was rejected, by the RUC. Supt Winston Crutchley said LAT appeared to be mimicking DAAD.
The loyalist group carried out the beating around 10.30 p.m. on Tuesday night at Kilclief Gardens, on the Kilcooley estate in Bangor with baseball and cricket hats.
In a subsequent call to the BBC, a spokesman for LAT, using a recognised loyalist codeword, admitted responsibility. The groups made allegations against its victim, who is being treated in hospital for leg and arm injuries, and said he had less than 24 hours to leave Northern Ireland.
The caller said the group had nothing to do with the Combined Loyalist Military Command (CLMC). He said the victim had failed to carry out an instruction from loyalists and was therefore a "target for anyone".
"We accept what we did was barbaric," the caller said, adding that people would be hearing about the group "pretty often".
Mr David Adams, spokesman for the loyalist Ulster Democratic Party, said he was certain the CLMC did not authorise the beating, which he condemned. He believed two or three people may have just randomly taken a name for themselves to justify the beating and get publicity.
Supt Crutchley, who is leading the investigation into the attack, said the RUC was satisfied from local police intelligence that loyalist paramilitaries - who would come under the command of the CLMC - were involved in the beating.
He believed they were copying the actions of Direct Action Against Drugs. "I think it is rather ironic their calling themselves Loyalists Against Thuggery, because I can't think of anything more thuggish than what they did," he added.
