Street vigilantes tarred and feathered an alleged drug dealer because police refused to take action against him, it was claimed today.
This man was tarred and feathered in Belfast.
The victim, in his 30s, was subjected to the attack on Sunday in a loyalist stronghold in south Belfast.
The victim was tied to a lamppost, and masked men poured tar over him and covered him in feathers as women and children looked on. A placard around his neck declared: "I'm a drug dealing scumbag."
Despite the heavy influence of Ulster Defence Association (UDA) men within the Taughmonagh estate, the paramilitary organisation's advisers insisted it was not involved.
Frankie Gallagher of the Ulster Political Research Group claimed: "The UDA told the local community to go to the police about this. The community responded in the way it did because it had no confidence in the police."
Mr Gallagher claimed frustration over the authorities alleged inaction had been building for weeks. Police were given information but failed to intervene, he said.
The attack came amid growing pressure on the UDA to abandon all violence and give up its guns.