Paramilitaries threaten Belfast hospital workers hospital threats

A paramilitary group has threatened to kill medical staff at two Belfast hospitals if they turn up for work today.

The so-called Catholic Reaction Force said it would kill three unnamed members of staff with links to security forces at the Royal Victoria and the Mater hospitals. The threats were condemned by politicians and the hospitals.

Postal services in Londonderry were suspended at the weekend after staff were threatened. Workers will discuss returning to work today.

Gerry Kelly, Sinn Fein's North Belfast Assembly member, claimed the loyalist Ulster Defence Association was behind the threats to hospital staff, saying the Catholic Reaction Force did not exist. He said: "When this name is used ... the actions have always been traced back to the UDA."

But John White, of the UDA-linked Political Research Group, denied any loyalist link.