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Loyalist admits UDA link to drugs Drug dealers criminals - loyalist
(about 11 hours later)
A leading member of the UDA's political wing has admitted people with a "UDA background" are involved in drug dealing in north Belfast. A leading member of the UDA's political wing has admitted individual UDA members may be among those involved in drug dealing in north Belfast.
Frankie Gallagher also claimed women and teenagers were among those dealing in drugs in the Tigers Bay area. Frankie Gallagher said that if this was the case, they should be treated as criminals and prosecuted.
His claims followed the death of a teenager who hanged himself days after taking veterinary tablets.His claims followed the death of a teenager who hanged himself days after taking veterinary tablets.
A doctor from the area said the drugs problem was now worse than at any time over the past 30 years.A doctor from the area said the drugs problem was now worse than at any time over the past 30 years.
Dr Sean Donnelly said the situation may be partly due to a greater "freedom" within society because 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.
"There's definitely an awful lot more children being presented to me by their parents with the effects of drugs," he said."There's definitely an awful lot more children being presented to me by their parents with the effects of drugs," he said.
There's definitely an awful lot more children being presented to me by their parents with the effects of drugs Sean DonnellyDoctorThere's definitely an awful lot more children being presented to me by their parents with the effects of drugs Sean DonnellyDoctor
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.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.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.""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. He said he accepted that some individual UDA members may be 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."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.""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. The police said they were proactively addressing the problem.He claimed police were not active enough in the area. The police said they were proactively addressing the problem.