Sir, - The latest reports on paramilitary assaults in Northern Ireland show a persistently high incidence and severity of injury despite the ceasefires (The Irish Times, July 21st). The data for 1998 do not record, however, the extent of warnings, threats and exiles effected by loyalist and republican groups. Data compiled by Families Against Intimidation and Terror for the first quarter of 1998 show six incidents of intimidation, 27 orders to leave Northern Ireland and 27 orders to remove within Northern Ireland. This is in addition to the 122 "punishment" attacks recorded by the RUC, referred to in your article.
It is important to understand the broad context, scope and consequences of such paramilitary activity in order to create effective non-violent alternatives.
An independently funded research project at the University of Ulster aims to examine the nature and extent of paramilitary attacks and intimidation in Northern Ireland and elsewhere. The project is committed to non-violence, and will assess strategies for ending or reducing such "punishments". It will involve interviews with those subject to attacks and will examine community perceptions of issues surrounding this activity.
Those who wish to contact the project may do so at the following address. - Yours, etc., Dermot Feenan,
ESRC Violence Research Programme, School of Public Policy, University of Ulster, Newtownabbey, Co Antrim.