INLA warns of loyalist threat to ceasefire

The INLA warned today that attacks by loyalists on nationalists was putting "an almost impossible strain" on its ceasefire.

It said in a statement: "Unless there is a halt then a republican response is inevitable."

The INLA commended what it called the "restraint" of its members, particularly in North Belfast, in the face of "provocative and murderous attacks".

The statement condemned what it said was the poor leadership within unionism for allowing the Protestant working class to be marginalised by the political process. "The rampant sectarian hatred manifested in the attacks on schoolchildren is a monument to the gutless leadership within unionism," it said.

The group also called for the release of one of its members, Dessie O’Hare, who it says is entitled to be release under the terms of the Belfast Agreement.

Mr Alban Maginness, SDLP MLA for North Belfast, described the statement as a "menacing" development.