The doors of the pressure group, Families Against Intimidation and Terror (FAIT), reopened yesterday amid speculation that the organisation is facing another crisis.
Its Belfast office closed on Thursday, less than a fortnight after the resignation of its director, Mr Sam Cushnahan, in a bitter internal dispute. Mr Cushnahan resigned citing health and business reasons, but it was understood that disagreements with the development officer, Mr Glyn Roberts, were also to blame.
An emergency meeting on Tuesday, and another reported meeting on Wednesday, failed to resolve the problems and the office closed in Belfast's High Street on Thursday. Mr Cushnahan received a fax from Mr Roberts on Thursday stating that his doctor had diagnosed him as suffering from "acute stress and depression" and to take four weeks off.
But Mr Cushnahan criticised the fact that no one had informed him that the office was going to be closed. "It's very regrettable that no one informed me that the office was not going to be open on Thursday morning, particularly when the two members of staff informed others in the building that they would not be back."
When asked if FAIT had a future Mr Cushnahan, who remains on the management committee, insisted the group would continue with its work in helping victims campaign against paramilitary "punishment" attacks and intimidation.
"We have not folded. We are back in business today. I'm here in the office now. The phones are manned and I have been inundated with offers from capable people offering their services because they don't want to see FAIT close. FAIT won't close because the victims need our help. We will keep things running until this present matter is resolved."
Mr Cushnahan dismissed reports of mass resignations, saying Mr Roberts and a part-time employee, Ms Muriel Martinez, were the only two not back at work.
The Central Community Relations Unit at the NIO, which gives FAIT £33,500 a year, said it was unaware of any change in the circumstances of the organisation and would continue to fund it unless it hears otherwise.