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Drug problem 'worst in 30 years' Loyalist admits UDA link to drugs
(about 2 hours later)
The drugs problem in the Tiger's Bay area of north Belfast is worse than it has ever been, according to a local GP. A leading member of the UDA's political wing has admitted people with a "UDA background" are involved in drug dealing in north Belfast.
Dr Sean Donnelly was speaking after Dean Clarke, 16, hanged himself days after taking a large number of horse tranquilisers. Frankie Gallagher also claimed women and teenagers were among those dealing in drugs in the Tigers Bay area.
A leading loyalist is being blamed for supplying the drugs. His claims followed the death of a teenager who hanged himself days after taking veterinary tablets.
Dr Donnelly said: "There's definitely an awful lot more children being presented to me by their parents with the effects of drugs." A doctor from the area said the drugs problem was now worse than at any time over the past 30 years.
He believes the problem may be partly due to the "freedom" within society due to the peace dividend. Dr Sean Donnelly said the situation may be partly due to a greater "freedom" within society because to the peace dividend.
The issue has come into the spotlight following the death of teenager Dean Clarke. "There's definitely an awful lot more children being presented to me by their parents with the effects of drugs," he said.
He spent almost a week in intensive care after taking a drugs overdose - but after being discharged from hospital, he took his own life. There's definitely an awful lot more children being presented to me by their parents with the effects of drugs Sean DonnellyDoctor
Women in the area demonstrated against drug dealers on Sunday and the teenager's mother has called for drugs and dealers to be taken off the streets. Dean Clarke, 16, spent almost a week in intensive care after taking a drugs overdose - but after being discharged from hospital, he took his own life.
Frankie Gallagher, of the UPRG, said: "All of the drug dealing that's going on in Tigers Bay is by people in Tigers Bay.
"Some of the mothers are actually dealing drugs in Tigers Bay."
He said he accepted that UDA members were involved adding: "The organisation of the UDA is absolutely dedicated and determined no members will be involved in crime or criminality.
"Any people who are masquerading as loyalists who are selling drugs are scum.
"There is one person in particular, there's a number of other people in Tigers Bay, there's a lot of complex issues."
On Monday, Evangelical Presbyterian minister Robert Beckett said people were afraid as paramilitaries "remained untouched".On Monday, Evangelical Presbyterian minister Robert Beckett said people were afraid as paramilitaries "remained untouched".
He claimed police were not active enough in the area. He claimed police were not active enough in the area. The police said they were proactively addressing the problem.
However, Superintendent Nigel Grimshaw said police were proactively addressing the problem.