Living with fear

Friday June 14, 2002 09:37

by LAURA FRIEL

Roisin McGurk believes in democracy, equality and an end to sectarian division. She thinks this goal would be best achieved on an all-Ireland basis, with the people of this island pursuing their differences through a single body politic, a national democracy free from outside interference.

"Everyone is entitled to their own political and religious beliefs," says Roisin, "I'm a republican but that doesn't mean I should be intimidated out of my home and living in fear of my life."

Roisin and her family live in the Hightown Road area of Glengormley on the outskirts of North Belfast. Her home is less than half a mile away from where local teenager Gavin Brett was shot dead by loyalists last year.

Gavin was standing with his Catholic friends outside the local GAA hall when a gunman opened fire from a passing car. The Red Hand Defenders, a cover name used by both the UDA and LVF, later claimed responsibility for the killing.

In the last six weeks a loyalist death squad has targeted Roisin at least three times. In the most recent incident, two weekends ago, the BBC received a telephone call from someone using a recognised code word claiming that the RHD had aborted an attempt to assassinate Roisin McGurk.

"I'm too afraid to open my front door at night," says Roisin. "The PSNI called out to the house late on Friday night but I didn't answer."

Roisin's solicitor contacted the PSNI the following day and was informed of the threat against her life. An earlier gun attack had also been foiled after a neighbour spotted a man with a gun and raised the alarm.

Following this incident, a loyalist caller to the BBC claimed the Protestant Reaction Force had carried out the planned attack. Two weeks later, Roisin was once again warned that her life was in danger. The South East Antrim UDA and LVF were planning to shoot a Catholic worker and had issued a general threat against all Sinn Féin councillors and workers.

"I've lived in this house for over 17 years," says Roisin. "There has always been an undertone of loyalist violence against Catholics here," says Roisin, "but these personal threats only began after I stood as a local Sinn Féin candidate."

The RHD recently targeted another former Sinn Féin councillor in North Belfast. Mick Conlon and his family escaped injury after the nail bomb thrown at the front door of their house failed to explode. Conlon has been warned 15 times within the last five years of an active loyalist plot against his life.

"There are Unionists and SDLP members living around here and they don't get death threats," says Roisin. "They aren't forced to live in fear, frightened for their families, afraid to stay at home, afraid to go out."

Roisin lives in her Glengormley home with her 20-year-old disabled son Martin. Her younger son, 18-year-old Conor, lives away from home and as a merchant seaman, her husband frequently works away from home.

"Martin needs around the clock care," says Roisin, "and the added threat of loyalist attack is further affecting his health. This extra worry is the last thing my family needs."

Roisin has been advised to leave her home and move out of the area. "I don't know whether to stay or go," she says. "This is our house and we've installed special ramps for Martin's wheelchair. It took so long to get the house adapted to meet Martin's needs and we don't want to move out and start again."

During the day, Roisin is fearful. "Just going to the shops is an ordeal," she says. But the nights are worse. "We're afraid to leave a door unlocked or a window open. The curtains are closed early and after dark we don't answer the door."

"If the peace process is to mean anything, it must mean that people like me can express their political beliefs and stand as a candidate for the party of their choice," says Roisin, "without fear of being subjected to threats against their life and fearful for the lives of their family."

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Living with fear