A Sinn Fein Assembly member, Mr Alex Maskey, has warned republicans to be alert following reported sightings of known loyalists at locations frequented by republicans, including leisure centres, clubs and business premises.
They intend to step up their attacks on nationalists in the coming months, he warned last night. "Last week four loyalists were observed by a neighbour loitering around the home of a senior Andersonstown republican recently released from Long Kesh. The men, realising that they had been observed, sped off towards the Village area," he said.
According to Mr Maskey there have been several sightings in Belfast. ein headquarters, and Twin Spires in west Belfast, where Sinn Fein have has an advice centre. A known loyalist was also spotted wearing a Celtic soccer jersey outside a location where republicans work, claimed Mr Maskey.